Scout - October 2016 by Lake Central Comet

scout VOLUME 51 / OCTOBER ISSUE / LAKE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL / ST. JOHN, IN

breast cancer awareness Learn how breast cancer affects students and staff

sports players Meet the athletes who make victories possible

fall activities Places to go and adventures to experience for a more fulfilling fall season

vivianne tartareanu An aspiring makeup artist uses her skills to transform faces at haunted attractions and give her a head start in cosmetology

scout

scout editor-in-chief

CONTENTS inside lc

6 UPCOMING EVENTS

Get in touch with events happening during the months of October and November.

GENDER NUETRAL BATHROOMS

Dr. Larry Veracco, Super int endent , shares why gender neutral bathrooms are being installed throughout the school.

sports

12 MARCHING BAND

Grab a sneak peak into the behindthe-scenes work of marching band and how every member’s specific role is vital to the show.

14 OFFENSIVE LINE

Learn how the offensive linemen on the football team protect their turf and contribute to knocking out the competition.

Sofia Hay

on the cover:

editors

Vivianne Tartareanu (11) Photo by: Brianna Sarkisian Scout is a student publication of Lake Central High School in St. John, Indiana. All content is student directed and produced. Opinions are those of the writers and do not imply the position of the school. Questions and comments can be directed to Sofia Hay, Scout Editor in Chief at STHay@lcstudents.com. Businesses interested in advertising should contact 219-365-3886.

noteworthy lifestyle ERIN 20 MRS. NOVAK

Mrs. Erin Novak, Dean of Students, and other staff share their stories of battling breast cancer and how they were able to navigate this journey.

22 BREAST CANCER

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Discover the facts behind it and some preventative measures that can be taken.

26 VIVIANNE TARTAREANU Vivianne Tartareanu (11) takes the readers through her process of learning to create horrifying special effect makeup.

28 FALL ACTIVITES

County Line Orchard, as well as other popular fall attractions, can add some spice to the spooky season.

Nicole Milaszewski Katelyn Pass Austin Sandoval Brianna Sarkisian Kylie Thomsen Olivia Oster Victoria Wilkes Jessica Wojton

team leaders Justin Andrews Jessica Cook Jacqueline Hoffman Brittney Howell

Courtney Rhomberg Kaylynn Ward Lauren Wisniewski Nicole Reitz

staff members

bouncing around in my head; I couldn’t wait to put it all together. This proved to be more difficult than I expected, though. Coming up with story ideas that appealed to as many different students as possible was a challenge, along with trying to put together a cohesive design style that I envisioned. After much time spent flipping through magazines, designing and redesigning with the help of my design team, we finally figured it out. I’m excited to see how the magazine looks in print, and I couldn’t be prouder of the amazing staff that helped me make the vision into a reality.

Camille Bereolos Dana Brownewell Karisa Candreva Julia Casner Jennifer Chavarria Grace Cistaro Michael Clark Brianna Clarke Charles DeVries Ayah Eid Molly Fischer Emily Gaines Kevin Holechko Faith Huenucke Adam Kharchaf Nadja Kostadinovic Madalyn Kruszewski Jovana Laporsek Casey Lessentine Bailey Lewis Taylor Lykowski Bianca Matchain Morgyn McAllister Anna McCuaig Radosav Mihajlovic Cherylynn Gholson

Danica Mileusnic Kristen Mirabelli Jessica Monsma Mackenzie Moore Madison Mullens Amber Murray Kate Nowicki Mikaela Paniagua Viraj Patel Emily Pederson Michael Pucci Anni Rajput Jake Ranola Ashley Robinson Melicah Rodriguez Madison Sandoval Gabriella Shumylo Sabina Solarczyk Vicenzo Sorrentino Samantha Szewczyk Jack Theil Olivia Throckmartin Jocelyn Vanek Mikaila Zvyek Madeline Mills

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Sarah Verpooten

Carrie Wadycki

16 PLAYER STATISTICS

Up-and-coming sports stars from each sport are featured for their achievements and skills.

30 #IFIWERE PRESIDENT

what Learn students would do if they had the opportunity to be president.

LETTER FROM THE editor For those who do not know how Publications works, every spring people apply for new positions on staff. As I was coming towards the completion of my sophomore year as a staffer, I was at a loss for what I wanted to do the following year -- or if I even wanted to be a member of Publications at all. Thankfully I was talked into staying in the class, and I ended up being Photo Editor my junior year. I love photography, so having this position was a blast. Once spring rolled around again, however, I was again struggling with what I wanted to do the following year. After giving it some thought, it finally came to me; I wanted to be Scout Editor-in-Chief. Once I found out I got the position I was beyond excited. I had so many ideas

Emily Badger Mia Brann Ruth Chen Paityn Emro Hannah Hill Stefan Krajisnik Rachel Front Abigail Hines Camryn Wallace

sofia hay

2 S C O U T / O C T O BE R I S S U E / TA BL E O F C O N T E N T S

advisers

4 SCOUT / OCTOBER ISSUE / INSIDE LC

inside lc fall show

ALTHOUGH THE SCHOOL YEAR CAN SEEM MONOTONOUS,

Lake Central continues to evolve in an attempt to keep up with the students. This fall, the school will host performances of a childhood classic, recieve alterations to the building, and continue on with the activities that compose high school life. Michael Zubeck (12) collects data on the Starburst lab in Mr. George Fox’s, Mathematics, fifth hour AP Statistics. Students observed the distribution and created a bar graph. “I like how interactive the lab was and how it shows a real life situation such as how much of a product is actually given to you,” Zubeck said. Photo by: Camryn Wallace

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR SUNDAY

MONDAY

OCT.

TUESDAY

Varsity Cheer Competition

National stop Bullying Day Boys Varsity soccer Regional (away)

Varsity volleyball Sectionals begin, but they still have to make last minute issues. “We’re trying to figure out our positions because many members have been out,”

TbA: VARSITY VOLLEYBALL REGIONALS

fall

Halloween in the park at Lake Station (5 p.m. - 9 p.m.)

Lake Hills Haunted House (7 p.m. - midnight.)

JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH

VOLLEYBALL

THURSDAY

11 STAIRWAY TO HERO-

Columbus Day

WEDNESDAY

31 HALLOWEEN

6 SCOUT / OCTOBER ISSUE / INSIDE LC

NOV. ELECTION DAY Hilary Clinton and

Donald Trump are the candidates for the 2016 presidential election. Voting polls will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Girls Freshman Basketball Vs Michigan City 6:00p.m. (away)

OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER Page by: Julia Casner, Grace Cistaro, Brianna Clarke, Madalyn Kruszewski, Bianca Matchain, Mackenzie Moore, and Nicole Reitz.

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

END OF FIRST NINE WEEKS

Vasity football Sectional (away) TBA: BOYSTennis State (away)

15 Sweetest day Varsity Volleyball Tournament Vs Penn high school

Six Flags Fright Fest Begins (11a.m.-midnight)

Drug Awareness Lake Central is holding a drug awarness program, Gateway to Heroin, on Oct. 11. Different organizations will be speaking about drug safety. Parents and children will learn the risks of drug and alcohol use in adolescents. The program will be held from 6:008:30 p.m., in the auditorium. The event is free for ages 12 and older. To sign up, register at https:// s t a i r w ay t oheroi n l a ke c ent r a l . eventbrite.com.

JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH

Varsity football Sectional (away)

break 4 JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH

5 JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH

12 JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH

VETERANS DAY

History club is conducting its second assembly for Veterans Day and plans on having 200-300 veterans attend. Students’ relatives are welcome to join.

The Lake Central Theatre Company will be performing “James and the Giant Peach,” a popular book by Roald Dahl, that is soon-to-be a movie. Ms. Nicole Raber, Guidance, is the director for this show. “I chose James and the Giant Peach for the fall show with the hopes that we could get the elementary students to come, and when the schools found out that we were doing ‘James and the Giant Peach’, they decided to read the book,” Raber said. The Theatre Company rehearses every Tuesday and Wednesday, working hard to recapture the 55-year-old novel. “James and the Giant Peach” will be performed Nov. 4-6 and Nov 12 at 7p.m.

New stalls in the halls

New bathrooms for all genders

For the first time in Lake Central’s fifty years, gender neutral bathrooms will be introduced to the school. These bathrooms, also referred to as unisex bathrooms, are designated for the use of any person who wants to use them, regardless of sex or gender identity. “[Gender neutral bathrooms] are designed so people can say, ‘I feel more comfortable like [I do] at home’. When I was at the high school, I would see students coming out of staff bathrooms [because] they felt they were more private,” Dr. Larry Veracco, Superintendent of the Lake Central School District, said. Recently, the new Federal Guidance, passed by the Obama Administration, created a law stating that all public schools must have gender neutral restrooms or else they will risk losing their funding. These funds keep schools in running condition. “We decided [to install the gender neutral bathrooms] at the end of February of 2016, and we discussed it off and on since May of 2016 when the Obama Administration put out their guidance,” Dr. Veracco said.

Becuase the school’s administration decided to install these new features earlier in 2016, it added time to go over the further plans for the restrooms. With more time to discuss final decisions, controversy over the bathrooms arose within the Lake Central School District, but Dr. Veracco is hoping to put out an important message across with the installation of these bathrooms. “There is always a possibility of pushback when change occurs. I think it’s important for us to communicate with everybody. We want the primary focus of everyone’s time here to be on learning and preparing themselves for the future. While using the bathroom is a part of everyone’s daily schedule, we [don’t want it to be] an event. [We] should be a public example for other schools,” Dr. Veracco said. The layout of the restrooms will include a single stall with a lock from the inside of the door for security purposes. This will not allow multiple students to be in the restroom at a single time. Mr. Sean Begley, Head Principal, is responsible for making sure that every student feels safe and respected in their environment. These restrooms are intended to be used by students who feel more comfortable using a unisex

8 SCOUT / OCTOBER ISSUE / INSIDE LC

“I think it will be a combination of both [our current standard bathrooms and the new gender neutral bathrooms] to attempt to meet the needs of students and staff.”

bathroom. “[When installing] family-style or gender neutral [bathrooms], we need to respect [students’] opinions,” Mr. Begley said. Although it is a huge change to the school, Dr. Veracco is attempting to make the idea of the gender neutral bathrooms easier for the staff and students to adjust to. By traveling to Europe over the years, the experience allowed him to see this change first-hand, which lets him to

assume that it is possible for Lake Central to conform to using gender neutral bathrooms. “I think it will be a combination of both [our current standard bathrooms and the new gender neutral bathrooms] to attempt to meet the needs of students and staff. I have got limited travel experiences, but I know in Europe, people share bathrooms. [At Lake Central], we end up with more facilities that are shared but also have individual stalls [to] guarantee privacy. You are next to another stall, so [ the bathroom] is not [garunteed] total privacy, [but] if you are in it, you are undisturbed,” Dr. Veracco said. Installing gender neutral bathrooms is a step toward equality. The bathrooms are not intended to make others feel uncomfortable, but to give everyone the option to decide where they would like to use the restroom without feeling labeled as a specific gender. “[Gender neutral bathrooms] are open to anyone, our biggest concern [is] [that] it will become more popular to where it becomes a line,” Dr. Veracco said.

Page by: Jennifer Chavarria, Charles DeVries, Kevin Holechko, Nadja Kostadinovic, Radosav Mihajlovic, Jocelyn Vanek and Kaylynn Ward

F.A.Q. frequently Asked Questions WHat?

Select family and staff bathrooms around the school will be converted into gender neutral restrooms. These will feature a single stall, sink and mirror. The bathrooms will also have a security feature that includes a lock from the inside. Some of the restrooms will be able to indicate whether it is in use or not with an occupancy sign on the door.

WHERe?

There are five gender neutral bathrooms throughout the school. Three are located in the freshman center, one at the South end and two more by the nurse’s office. Another two restrooms are located at the top of the stairs on the second floor of the Academic wing.

WHEN?

The guidance to install gender neutral bathrooms was passed in May 2016 by the Obama Administration, starting the movement of the project. Lake Central installed these neutral general bathrooms in the fall of 2016. The signs ordered at the beginning of the year, were expected to arrive in September. The bathrooms that were once private ones, have been converted into gender neutral stalls.

WHY?

The Obama Administration passed a guidance stating that school can risk losing federal funding gender neutral bathrooms are not installed. The reason for this guidance is that everyone should feel comfortable at school, regardless of gender identity. The mission of these new installations is to subtract the middleman and elimnate bullying in every possibe setting. By not having a bathroom everyone feels comfortable with, ican be viewed as gender discrimination.

who?

Anyone can use these bathrooms, not just those who do not feel comfortable using the gender designated bathrooms. The Lake Central Administration wants every student to feel safe in their school setting, and by adding these restrooms, it gives the students the liberty to use a restroom without feeling labeled.

What do you think?

Students share how they feel about Lake Central’s new bathrooms “I think [gender neutral bathrooms] are a good idea. I think it will definitely make a lot of people feel more comfortable. I guess I will feel more comfortable. I identify as a woman, but I have had awkward instances going to the bathroom, and it has happened pretty consistently, so I am definitely happy about that [the installation]. I didn’t know [ installing gender neutral bathrooms] was going on. [The new security feature] is cool. I guess it could be dangerous for a high school because we are used to having people supervise us all the time, but hopefully people can act like adults about it,”

madelyn nohos (12) said. “I just feel like if we give [gender dysphoria students] bathrooms, they will expect more and more. It will kind of just get out of hand with unnecessary [changes] that they really don’t need. [For example] with gym classes, the students need to be separated because it’s not comfortable inside of a gym’s locker room, so things are being changed that don’t [necessarily] need to be changed,”

Daniel picioski (12) said. “I’m pretty happy about [the installation of the gender neutral bathrooms] because people who do experience gender dysphoria and do experience discomfort, can struggle a lot academically. Not only that, [but] they don’t feel accepted very well. To implement those [bathrooms] may be such a weird thing, but it kind of signifies like, “‘Hey it’s okay. You’re fine,’”

sabastiano matthews (10) said.

do you agree with the installation of gender neutral bathrooms? yes

23% no

57%

20% indifferent poll out of 330 students

myth: fact:

Now any gender can go into whichever bathroom they choose. A person cannot choose which gender bathroom they want, there is just a third single-user choice available.

10 S C O U T / O C T O B E R I S S U E / S P O R T S

sports WHETHER PLAYING OR PERFORMING, LAKE CENTRAL STUDENTS

strive to succeed. With so many fall sports in play, vital players and positions are often overlooked. Through teamwork and dedication, leaders emerge and rise to the top with outstanding skills. Caroline Puch (10) heads the ball during the Chesterton game on Sept. 13. The Indians lost 4-0. “We’ve had some hard losses, but we’re going to get back up and try it again. We are going to try and do our best these next few games,” Puch (10) said. Photo by: Camryn Wallace

1 3

Coming out on t.o.p. 12 S C O U T / O C T O B E R I S S U E / S P O R T S

1. Megan O’Donnell (11), Jennifer Chavarria (12) and Madison Payne (12) walk back to their bus with their trophies after winning five awards. The marching band came in first place at the Lafayette Jefferson competition. Photo by: Jessica Cook 2. Hope Ciarrocchi (11) tosses the flag during the color guard’s routine. The color guard has over ten performers. 3. Members of marching band perform during halftime at Lake Central. This year’s performance is called Silver Linings. 4. Kaitlyn Seitz (12) plays the xylophone during the band’s performance. Seitz has been in marching band for four years. Photos by: Justin Andrews

The Tribe of Pride’s performances, as seen during halftime at football games, are achieved by dedicating time throughout the season. Students complete long hours of practice and every individual’s performance affects the group as a whole, making it crucial for every member to know their part. Each member of the band has a job and a section that they belong to, all of them feeding into the big picture. The positions range from head director to being part of the band, and each job has important role in the show production. Page by: Jessica Cook, Ayah Eid, Cherylynn Gholson, Morgyn Mcallister, Anni Rajput, Melicah Rodriguez, Olivia Throckmartin and Mikaila Zvyak Photos by: Jessica Cook, Jake Ranola and Michael Pucci

Marching to compete The Tribe of Pride competes all fall to make it to the top.

David McGreal (10), Band member “I am a regular marcher in the trumpet section. I do not have any special leadership positions, but every marcher [makes] a contribution to the band to focus and do their best to make the band the best it can be. Unlike math [class], your grade determines the grade of everyone else, so everybody plays an essential part. Everybody’s own focus, sense, music and [unique] parts come together to make this one big show. It is a hundred miniature ideas all brought up into one idea that everybody contributes to. No matter who you are in marching band, [your] position is important.”

Mr. David Nelson, band director

Keeping The band on the same beat Madison Payne (12), Drum Major “I am a Drum Major. We conduct the band. The biggest thing we do is lead the band. We provide and set an example for everyone. If we do something wrong, it trickles down throughout the band. I am specifically the backfield conductor. Along with what the other drum majors are doing, I work with the metronome and set the tempo. When the band turns toward backfield, they watch me conduct. We also help different sections. I help with the brass line, so I help them play with a better tone and quality. While the brass is playing, I usually walk around and fix foot timing and intonation. Since I played a brass instrument last year, I’m able to help with playing and memorizing. For longer rehearsals, I usually conduct part of the show for them and work with individual sections. One of the drum major’s responsibilities is to get people excited about the show [in the end]. We have to look the part and stay focused to help with rehearsal which ends up helping the show. We also represent the entire band in a competition. The more mature you are and the more focused you are, the better the band appears to the public.”

“My job is to coordinate the choreography for the students and communicate with our new color guard director, Mr. Frankenberger. We discuss what the color guard is doing and what kind of flags they are using, all the little things. As a group of directors we decide what our music is going to be and what our drills are going to be. Once we actually have all those pieces figured out, my job is to make sure that the students learn it all. I get to see all of the students except for the color guard students. I use my position to make sure that everyone has what they need to succeed, then I spend time instructing them on how to make each segment of the show better.”

Mr. William Frankenburger, color guard Director “I sit as part of a three-person [direction] with the band director and the assistant band director. My role specifically is to choreograph and develop the trainings of all the specific equipments we use [including] the flags and rifles. I oversee and work with our staff, that work as teachers. I am also responsible for all of the program designs, costume design, working with our flag designer and our prop maker. When we talk about our marching band show, we talk about the design of the show or the production and the color guard is a huge part of that. I manage all of those [aspects] that [make]the show come to life.”

Brice Doescher (11), Section leader “I play the alto saxophone, and I am the section leader. I am in charge of all the [members] who play the same instrument as me and I teach them the ropes of the road [like] how to get better and I give them tips and tricks like how to deal with time management. We have rehearsals all the time, and [section leaders] have to make sure [they] are there before, not just on time, to get ready. Mr. Nelson can’t always look at everyone at the same time because there are hundreds of people in marching band. If he gives students leader roles, then it’s easier to distribute helpful tips to better the whole band.”

10/8

LINCOLN LINCOLNWAY WAY CENTRAL CENTRAL HIGH HIGHSCHOOL SCHOOL

10/15

REGIONALS REGIONALS ATLAFAYETTE LAFAYETTE AT JEFFERSON JEFFERSON HIGHSCHOOL SCHOOL HIGH

10/22 SEMI-STATE SEMI-STATE

AT ATBEN BENDAVIS DAVIS HIGH HIGHSCHOOL SCHOOL

10/29 STATE STATEAT AT LUCAS LUCASOIL OIL STADIUM STADIUM

11/4 11/5 BANDS BANDSOF OFAMERICA AMERICA

SUPER SUPER REGIONAL REGIONALAT AT LUCAS LUCASOIL OILSTADIUM STADIUM

11/10-11/12 BANDS OF AMERICA GRAND NATIONALS AT LUCAS OIL STADIUM

All on the o-line THE OFFENSIVE LINEMEN TAKE ON THEIR ROLE AS THE BACKBONE OF THE VARSITY FOOTBALL TEAM Dylan Schwader (12), Dakota Barnett (12) and Derek Pass (12) Photo by: Courtney Rhomberg

he ball is snapped to the quarterback, who drops back and fires a pass to his wide receiver. The wide receiver makes the catch and sprints downfield towards the end-zone as the defenders fall behind. The stands erupt in cheers, and the teammates congratulate each other, but not everyone notices the ‘behind the scenes’ work that made this play possible. The offensive line is a unit compiled of five players, the right guard, the right tackle, the center, the left guard and the left tackle. The job of the “O-line” is to protect the quarterback and running back, and to make sure the “specialty” players can do the duties of their position. “The O-line is the most important group on the field in my opinion because [their position] is what keeps us moving the ball. The O-line should be getting a lot more recognition for what they do,” Austin Atkins (12) said. Without the offensive line, it would be impossible to run a play. Whether or not the team can score a touchdown falls into the hands of the offensive line. “[The Offensive line] blocks the defensive lineman, and blocks the linebacker. This allows the wide receiver to find an open gap and make a move. I want people to know that a lot of the things that skilled players do are all part of the offensive line. It’s not just a few guys making plays,” Dakota Barnett (12) said. In order for the offensive line to work in unison, they must establish control and enforce every plan of action. “The leadership of the O-line has been really good this year, starting with our center Barnett, the captain, who gets everyone on the same page. We wouldn’t have a [offensive play] without the O-line, and we wouldn’t win any games. The O-line is the start and end of every play. The O-linemen don’t get any of the glory, but any running back, quarterback or wide receiver knows that without the O-line they can’t gain any yards or make any plays,” Mr. Tony Bartolomeo, Offensive Coordinator, said. The team works as a well-oiled machine and uses their bond and overall passion to come out victorious. “We are pretty motivated to play, and we have a lot of energy to go out there and have fun. The team chemistry is better this year than it was previous years, and we are pretty close,” Derek Pass (12) said.

Page by: Taylor Lykowski, Kate Nowicki, Mikaela Paniagua, Emily Pederson, Michael Pucci, Jacob Ranola and Courtney Rhomberg

14 S C O U T / O C T O B E R I S S U E / S P O R T S

words of guidance

“

First and foremost play hard and be the best leader you can be for your high school your senior season. Then, commit to yourself during the summer. Spend time with friends and family, in addition to both mentally and physically preparing yourself for the experience ahead of you. Once college begins be humble and take advantage of every opportunity presented. The people you meet and the experiences you will have are lifelong. In relations to athletes in high school currently, I’d say to commit to your teammates. A good bond and trust within you and the other players is what makes every play in a game successful It’s all about trusting the people around you. Be the best teammate and person you can possibly be. This means you’re an exemplar for our student body. Hold yourself accountable for outstanding grades and perfect attendance. Create a standard that’s higher for yourself than anyone else. Most importantly, have the most fun you possibly can. and enjoy exactly what you do. Cherish the experience in front of you,”

Jeff sandor, assistant athletic director, said.

“

I think what is passed by a lot of kids is the amount of talent at the next level. You may be the best on your high school team or the best on your club team, but now you’re starting to talk about a lot of international players coming over just because of college and the atmosphere. Many foreign kids want to come to school here. You see that impact at the next level. Be versatile. A lot of times players come in and they are very stringent like ‘I’m a outside midfielder, center back,’ or ‘I’m a striker.’ Then, you go to college and the coach wants you to play somewhere else. You have to have an open mind. The game changes. You are starting to see better athletes. They are faster and stronger. You have to make sure you’re in the weightroom constantly. The truth of the matter is you’re going to college for an education and if soccer can be apart of that or be a function of that then that is outstanding. Ultimately you have to realize that is probably not paying the bills later on. A lot of times I see students pick schools based upon schools that want to have them for soccer, but you have to look at your future and we don’t want to overlook that,”

2 1. Daniel Picioski (12) kicks the ball away from a rival player. On Aug. 24, the varsity boys soccer team defeated the Michigan City Wolverines with a final score of 6-3. Photo by Stefan Krajisnik 2. Anthony Garcia (12) watches the crowd after a play was made. This is Garcia’s last year playing high school football. Photo By: Jennifer Chavarria 3. Keith Crawford (12) attempts to volley the ball. This is Crawford’s fourth year playing tennis for Lake Central. The team lost to Highland 4-1 on Aug. 24th. Photo by: Madison Mullens

jereme rainwater, vocational, said. 3

16 S C O U T / O C T O B E R I S S U E / S P O R T S

Page by: Brittney Howell, Faith Huenecke, Bailey Lewis, Stefan Krajisnik, Madeline Mills, Jessica Monsma, Madison Mullens, Enzo Sorrentino and Jack Thiel

for love of the game Linda Morton (12) sport: Volleyball Postition: Outside Hitter

ricHARD larson (12) sport: Tennis singles

Makayla Sullivan (12) sport: Cheer Position: Flyer

“My favorite part of playing would be, besides the fact that we all get along, that we are constantly improving together. I get my inspiration from when I started playing really young, and it was really only the sport I got into. I just wanted to keep improving.”

“In tennis, I try to stay focused in a match and not to get ov e r w h e l m e d too much. I actually started playing tennis during pool and I really liked it so I tried out for the team. I trained for it by working out in the weight room. This season for my team I would just like to finish with a winning record, and win sectionals.”

“To train for cheer I take two tumbling classes. However, my biggest challenge is trying not to get nervous before competitions and trying to overcome it. I try to remain calm and not think about it. My goal for this year is to win state and nationals.”

Cailee Wilkinson (12)

Nicholas Lucas (12)

christopher baranowski (12)

sport: Soccer Postition: For ward

“My favorite part of playing is all of the friends I’ve made from it. Going into different matches, just trying to keep your head up, and a good outlook for the score. I train for the games everyday and as a team we focus on new things every practice. This season, we hope to win Sectionals.”

Sarah Hunsley (12) sport: Cross Country YEARS PLAYED AT LC: 4

“[My favorite part about playing is] the team and the env i r on ment . To prepare for meets, I drinks lots of water and do small exercises like stretching. My inspiration would be any professional runners. They motivate me to push myself. My goal this season is to make top 25 in State.”

SPORT: Football Position:

Strong-Safety/ Outside Linebacker “My favorite part of being on the team is bonding t o g e t h e r. That’s the most important thing. Our greatest achievment this year was definitely beating Munster. We haven’t done that in forever. My biggest inspiration is Eric Thomas, [motivational speaker]. I’ve listened to him for a long time and he pushes me to work hard.”

joSEPH copeland (11) sport: Cross Country YEARS PLAYED AT LC: 3

“My favorite part of playing is being with the team everyday To prepare myself [for games] I make sure to eat healthy foods. My inspiration is my friend, Dakota Potts, who graduated last year. He always worked the hardest and it really motivated me. My goals this season is to place top 25 at State.”

sport: Soccer position: Midfielder

“Since I was little, I’ve just fell in love with the game. My keys to training for success involve repetition. We work hard daily to improve our skills. All in all, my inspiration is my coach. He pushes us to work so hard everyday. I think we have a great chance at State this year.”

Brooke scartozzi (12) sport: Golf YEARS PLAYED FOR LC: 4

“My favorite part of playing is just being with the team. We’ve become like a little family. Overall, my dad inspires me to become better. I want to be the best I can be for him. He’s the person that got me into golf. My goal this year is to make it to State as a team.”

18 S C O U T / O C T O B E R I S S U E / N O T E W O R T H Y

noteworthy WITH THE ARRIVAL OF OCTOBER, BREAST CANCER AWARENESS IS AT

an all-time high. Seas of pink are seen across the country at countless fundraisers and events. Although breast cancer is widespread throughout the nation, it can be traced back to the halls of Lake Central as well. Students and staff gather in Main Street for a photo wearing pink for breast cancer. The students and staff in this photo have all been affected by breast cancer through themselves or through loved ones at some point in their lives. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In 2012, two of my dance coaches, who are twins, were diagnosed with a rare form of breast cancer. It was tough seeing how treatments had affected them, but luckily they were able to beat it,â&#x20AC;? Alexa Szatkowski (12). Photo by: Sofia Hay

Power in pink

Mrs. Erin Novak, Dean of Students, opens up about her survival story The week before winter break is normally filled with anticipation and holiday cheer. However, on Dec. 17, 2015, Mrs. Erin Novak, Dean of Students, received a phone call that would drastically alter her life, filling her with a different kind of anticipation. “The [doctor] found something in both breasts and gave me the news that one was fine, but the other one had [what] she thought to be stage one breast cancer. We stayed on the phone for an hour talking [while she] reassured me, telling me that [the cancer] was small and very treatable. It was a good prognosis considering that it was cancerous,” Novak said. Although her diagnosis was shocking, the doctor assured Novak that she had a strong chance of winning the fight against her cancer.

“[The doctor] was very reassuring when I talked to her on the phone. She kept saying over and over again, ‘you’re going to be fine,’ ‘this is early,’ ‘it’s treatable’ and ‘it’s very small.’ She told me that she didn’t see why I couldn’t live to be 99 years old. That made me feel a lot better, and I think that really spearheaded my positive attitude. This was just a bump in the road. It was a big bump in the road, and it was a serious bump in the road, but it was something that I needed to overcome,” Novak said. Novak’s warrior-like attitude allowed her to keep up with everyday life. Staying busy and focusing on the positive aspects of her life helped take her focus off her diagnosis. On Jan. 26, 2016, Mrs. Novak went under for a double mastectomy, where the tissue was removed from her breasts.

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“There was a still a chance that the cancer could come back because they can’t take everything out. I was out of work for four weeks. When I returned, I was working half days because I had a lot of doctors appointments. I didn’t need chemotherapy or radiation [because] the surgery took care of the cancer. I’m forever grateful for that,” Novak said. After the surgery, Novak’s friends and coworkers showered her with support, bringing her gifts daily. In addition to presents, Novak also received advice from other breast cancer survivors, including Mrs. Cyndi Hurley, Business, who told her about which doctors to visit and the procedures ahead. “I worked with [Mrs. Teresa Zentz, Social Studies], who helped me set up a ‘Food Train’ on takethemameal. com. A lot of coworkers signed up

and brought me dinners every day and sent cards, flowers and fruit baskets. After the surgery, I wasn’t able to lift anything, so I couldn’t take anything in or out of the oven. Having prepared meals that my husband could just pop in the oven was amazing. I could not thank them enough. Some even offered to take my kids somewhere if I needed to get them out of the house for a little bit. There were some days when teachers would text me pictures of themselves wearing pink. They would send pictures in my email saying, ‘we’re on board and we support you,’ and that was really cool,” Novak said. Novak shares her story with women because she wants to emphasize the importance of knowing your body and handling breast cancer. She believes all women should visit their doctors during their younger

bravEry in battling three staff members share their cancer journey

breast cancer

mrs. jill zilz, mathematics “I found a lump in June, and I went to a doctor two weeks later. I started all the tests, and I found out the second day of school that I had breast cancer. Surgeons will get rid of the cancer entirely with a double mastectomy. Hopefully, they’ll catch all of the cancer. The outcome for the biopsy will be determined once I undergo chemotherapy radiation. Having cancer is overwhelming and stressful, but I have an amazing support system. I couldn’t have better friends. In and out of school, people have been amazing, but it’s still stressful. I have two little kids at home, so that makes dealing with cancer a little harder. I feel okay, and I don’t feel sick. I don’t feel anything yet, but it’s still hard. My mom and I are very close, so it’s really affecting her. My husband has been absolutely amazing and supportive and he’s doing everything that he should be and more. My family has been amazing but stressed; they don’t want to cry. I have an eight-year-old and a three-year-old son. We haven’t told them I have cancer, we just said that I have a germ, and I have to go in for a surgery. The biggest piece of advice I have is to know your body. If you feel like something’s wrong, then you need to keep pushing it with your doctor until you feel like you’ve gotten all the answers.

Mrs. Erin Novak poses for a picture with her three sons. They dressed in pink for breast cancer awareness. Photo by: Sofia Hay

years to take precautions. “I want people, especially women who are young mothers, to realize you have to be proactive. I found [my cancer from] a mammogram. It was too small for me to ever have felt it by doing a self-exam. I shared my story in the hopes of people saying, ‘Oh, my gosh, I’m her age. I need to go in and do this.’ Doctors recommend waiting until you’re 40, had I waited until I was 40, I could have been very far along and would not have had such a good prognosis. You have to be your own advocate. You have to be your own voice. If you feel something, go have it checked out immediately because the sooner you find it, the more treatable it is,” Novak said. Novak has shared her story on social media with the two hashtags ‘Fight Like a Girl’ and ‘Team Novak.’ Page by: Brittney Howell, Faith Huenecke, Vincenzo Sorrentino, Madeline Mills, Jessica Monsma, Jack Theil, Bailey Lewis, Madison Mullens

make sure you have the right doctors and the right people. Trust yourself. MRS. CYNDI HURLEY, BUSINESS “My family is full of breast cancer. I’m person eight in my family. I have what’s called a triple negative, which basically means there are no drugs or treatments for it, and you just wait for it to come back. They said that if I make it five years without breast cancer coming back, that’s pretty good. It’ll be my second year in January. The school was great. Terri Budlove threw me a ‘cancer shower’ and they gave me all these really cool gifts. I could not ask for more from this school. My husband was very supportive. My daughter, who was 32 years old at the time, got her first mammogram and her doctors are so worried about her possibly getting it that she gets checked out every six months. I think it overall made my daughter and step daughter more aware of themselves and it helped them stay on top of things, as well. I have talked to Mrs. Novak, she was diagnosed after me. We talked a lot because hers was very similar to mine, but her tumor was very different. A lot of people don’t realize that there are different kinds of tumors you can have in breast cancer. Mrs. Novak’s tumor was an

mrs. laurel bankroff, guidance “I do think the students need to know there are so many kinds of breast cancer, and the treatments are different for each. I guess I want them to understand that

we are all shaped by many events in our lives, not defined by them. I’m happy to talk to others battling cancer and counsel students whose families are affected.”

estrogen receptive and mine was different. It’s very useful to talk to others about what you’re going through. I’ve been pretty open with my students about it. I encourage them to ask questions if they have any. Last year, two girls talked to me in depth about their moms. I try to give full support to others who are dealing with loved ones who are diagnosed. I believe women supporting each other is the best thing out there. Overall, find somebody to talk about it with. Build a strong network of support if you or a loved one is coping with this.

Stay educated about it because the more you know, the less scary it is. 21

students talk about family fighting breast cancer mackenzie kusbel (9)

“My mom found out she had breast cancer on her birthday. It was definitely a big scare for our family, and we had to change a lot of things. My dad had to help us out a lot. I was very nervous [because] I didn’t want anything to happen [to her]. She recovered, [but] she still goes to monthly doctor visits just to make sure everything’s okay. She actually lost all her hair, but it’s growing back, and it’s longer than mine [now]. She went through chemo and radiation, [and] she got very sick, but my family and I helped her out. It was really nice to see her recover well.”

QA &

with DR. tiffany robinson, radiologist

FRANCISCAN ALLIANCE Q a

Jonas Sparks (10)

“When we heard the news [that my aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer], it was really sad. She called my mom crying, and I went upstairs and [asked] ‘what’s wrong,’ and then she [told me my] aunt had been diagnosed with breast cancer. I was very upset because nobody thought it was going to happen so fast and at such an early age of 40. She just recently got diagnosed about two weeks ago, [and] she’s fighting. There’s still some hard days to come, so we’re just going to have to pray for her and [help her as much as we can].”

Q a

Morgan kobisch (10)

“My grandmother had breast cancer, and my whole family was affected. When we lost my grandma, it took a toll on our family. Going through that was hard for us. My grandma was first diagnosed a year before I was born, and she had her mastectomy the year I was born. She was a survivor for sixteen years until the cancer came back, and then it metastasized, which means it spread. I got a tattoo on my shoulder blade with the last handwritten signature I got from her. I tattooed [the signature] in a heart sewn onto my shoulder because she and I bonded over sewing.”

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Q a

What do you reccomend young women do to check for breast cancer? “I recommend that all women, even [at a young age], start doing breast exams. I think that it’s good to do because you will know what’s different and what’s normal for your breasts. My recommendation is a monthly breast exam, and what you are doing is looking for something that feels abnormal. Some of the signs I see as [to] what could be breast cancer is [from] patients [who] come in with a palpable lump in their breasts, and the thing we look for typically is a really hard lump. There are some lumps that are soft, and they will mold out, but the lumps that we become most concerned about are the ones that are really hard. For example, most women’s breasts become lumpy right before their periods, so if you know that about your body, you won’t be so concerned about a lump that you feel [during] a day or two of your period. By knowing what your body feels like at different times gets you comfortable with what is normal for you.”

What happens after the patient is diagnosed with breast cancer? “[The process] starts with me, as the radiologist, and once [the patient] has a diagnosis, they’ll come back to us, and we’ll do the biopsy. We then get them in touch with a surgeon, a cancer doctor and also a doctor who does radiation therapy. The treatment for breast cancer can be multifocal. Some patients just do surgery, some patients need to have chemotherapy and some patients also need to have radiation. What treatment you’re going to get depends on the cancer. Not everyone that gets breast cancer ends up having to go through chemotherapy. There are some people who don’t lose their hair, and there are some people who have the chemotherapy treatment, which does cause hair loss.”

What is the best part of being a radiologist for breast cancer? “I really enjoy my job, and I’ve seen a lot of suffering, but I also have [patients] that are really grateful. I go home everyday feeling tired but also feeling like I’m doing a good job. Being a doctor can be a very demanding job, but working with women in particular is very enriching and empowering. I feel like I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing. I would encourage [all students going] into medicine to think about radiology as a career. I’m glad that I chose this job. I have many patients everyday, and [the technology I use allows me] to find cancer in really small sizes. I feel very proud of the work I’m able to do here.” Page by: Camille Bereolos, Karisa Candreva, Michael Clark, Jacqueline Hoffman, Danica Mileusnic and Ashley Robinson

b ttling pink men vs women affected

cases per year 2,300 men and 230,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year Source: American Cancer Society

1 in 8 women have breast cancer

survival rate 99%

if cancer has spread

1 in 1000 men have breast cancer Source: BreastCancer.org

5 year rate

85%

10 year rate

83%

15 year rate

78% Source: American Society of Clinical Oncology

how to get involved indiana women in need

pink ribbon society

The Indiana Women in Need Foundation financially aids men and women throughout the state of Indiana currently receiving treatment for breast cancer, relieving emotional, physical and financial burdens. Over the course of sixteen years, Indiana Women in Need has provided over 1.4 million dollars in monetary support to Hoosier victims of breast cancer.

The Pink Ribbon Society is an organization that provides local funding to men and women with breast cancer in Lake, Porter, Jasper and Newton Counties in Northwest Indiana. The society participates in projects including the wig reimbursement program, Indiana Women In Need, the State of Indianaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Breast and Cervical Cancer Program, Methodist Hospital Foundation, Bundles of Hope and educational programs. Source: Pink Ribbon Society

Source: I.W.I.N Foundation

october

08 Party in Pink is a zumba fitness workout class that raises money for funding a new medical research grant that has the potential to save lives globally. This event is held in Frankfort, IL, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

october

if cancer is only in breast 5 year rate

up and coming

locks of love Locks of Love is an organization that provides wigs for children under 21 who suffer from medically induced hair loss. This organization helps fill the gap in the market for child-sized wigs. The hairpiece helps the child rediscover themselves and gives them hope. A minimum of 10 inches is required to donate your hair. You can go to any salon in the area to participate. Donations continue to increase every year, and there are recipients in all 50 states. Source: Locks of Love

08 Komen Wabash Valley Race for the Cure raises funds and awareness for the breast cancer movement in Wabash Valley and surrounding central Indiana counties. It will be held in Terre Haute on Oct. 8.

october october

09 MakingStrides Against Breast Cancer is a celebration at Hidden Lake Park, Merrillville, for survivors. Registration is at noon, and the walk is at 1:30 p.m.

october

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer raises money for breast cancer research, life-saving education services. The walk is on Sunday, Oct. 16, at 1 p.m, and regristration starts at 11 a.m. in Valparaiso.

lifestyle A BRISK BREEZE AND CHANGING LEAVES SIGNIFY THE START OF FALL.

With Halloween around the corner, spooky attractions begin to sprout up in the region. Whether it is apple picking, haunted houses or munching on donuts, students spend their days getting into the seasonal spirit. Kristina Almeida (12) sits on the shoulders of Rachel Frieling (12) at the County Line Orchard. County Line Orchard opened Aug. 31. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We live in northwest Ind., where there is not much to do, especially in the fall, so the apple orchard is a great place to go to spend time with family or friends,â&#x20AC;? Frieling said. Photo by: Olivia Oster

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VIVIANNE

TARTAREANU

SELF-EXPRESSION IS KEY FOR YOUNG MAKEUP ARTIST, VIVIANNE TARTAREANU. DEVOTING TIME TO LEARNING NEW SPECIAL EFFECTS, PRACTICING HER SKILLS AND FURTHERING HERSELF TOWARD HER CAREER GOALS, TARTAREANU SHARES HER STORY ON HOW SHE GOT INTO SPECIAL EFFECTS MAKEUP AND HOW IT HAS PROGRESSED THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.

very haunted house season, Vivianne Tartareanu (11) gets her makeup ready and prepares to create horrifying makeup effects for the scare-actors at the Lake Hills Haunted House. For Tartareanu, the effects are not just something she does when the haunted house starts, but they are a year-round hobby. Whether it is a bruise or a full face of clown makeup, Tartareanu does it all. “I started [doing makeup] three years ago because, on the first two nights [at the Lake Hills Haunted House], I got my makeup done by one of the makeup artists there, and she was not going to be there one night. I went to the Halloween store and bought some basic, cheap [makeup]. I [thought] I could do it pretty well myself, so that year I kept getting the makeup from the Halloween store. I kept practicing and getting better and better. I would not look at videos on how to do it, I would just look at a picture [to] see how it works,” Tartareanu said. While scrolling through accounts on Instagram, Tartareanu came across an account, @ellyjs, that inspired her to start sharing her talent with her peers. Because the artist who ran the Instagram account used higher quality makeup, Tartareanu ditched the cheap Halloween store makeup for more expensive makeup. “There was a girl on Instagram who would do awesome gore makeup. She would do it so perfectly it would look like it was real. She inspired me to go out and buy better makeup. I usually buy from Krylon or Ben-Nye. Krylon and Ben-Nye are my favorite. The makeup I have [costs] $700 all together,” Tartareanu said. After two years of working at the Lake Hills Haunted House, Tartareanu decided to pick up a part-time job as an actress at the Massacre Haunted House in Montgomery, Ill. Despite the struggle of being an actress for more holidays than just Halloween, she continues to work there as often as she can. “[I do effects makeup] every haunt season, but on my own time every week. I work at Massacre Haunted House part-time, only when I have a ride to get there. It is Illinois’ number one haunted house and they run all year round. They do zombie outbreaks once a month and other holidays like Valentine’s Day and Christmas. It [inspires] me to make more costumes and bring out my characters more. It was very strange [doing other holidays]. I thought to myself ‘How am I supposed to be a scary elf?’, but once I got into my room and set up, it was easier than I thought it would be. It was easy, except having to incorporate Christmas into it,” Tartareanu said. Although it may seem that Tartareanu is confident while doing effects makeup, she still feels the pressure when she knows that her bosses are relying on her to create effects that are up to par with other haunted houses. She works through the pressure to

make sure her makeup is up to her bosses’ standards. “I [get nervous doing makeup], especially when people show me pictures and are very picky about it. [For Massacre], my makeup has to be number one and perfect. I’ve done a few people’s [makeup] there, but it is very nerve-wracking. I started off with gore, so going to more artistic things makes me nervous. It is water-based paint and I do not want to mess it up,” Tartareanu said. Tartareanu is currently enrolled at a Don Roberts Beauty School in Schererville, and hopes to have a career as a special effect makeup artist in the future. She eventually wants to expand her image to get professionals from the industry to see what she does. Tartareanu has already made connections with other actors and actresses from the haunted houses that she works at. “I would like to have my own makeup brand and line of beauty and special effects makeup. I can also see myself doing effects for movies or something in Hollywood. I am self-taught. I would not want to go to school for it because they teach you a different way. I like doing it my way. I was going to go back to school for [effects makeup] at Kosart in Chicago, but I found out that with the schooling, I will also have my makeup artist license. So, if I did go out and do movies, I would not have to go to school for it. I would want to do makeup for horror movies, but any type of movie would be good with me because I will be licensed to do beauty makeup, hair and special effects. One of the makeup artists [at Massacre], Barbie, is a highly-trained makeup artist and has done short movies and has shown me how to do effects with an airbrush,” Tartareanu said. Tartareanu often gets requests from friends to do their hair and makeup for events such as dances or Halloween. She gets a lot of requests, which can be overwhelming at times, but that does not stop her from helping them out. “I have gotten a lot of messages from people who ask me to do makeup for Halloween and prom. It can be annoying sometimes, but I still do it for my friends,” Tartareanu said. Although it can take up time and energy, Tartareanu does not plan to stop doing special effects makeup, and she will continue to create new characters. She continues to develop new skills that will, in turn, improve her talent and become a Hollywood makeup artist. “[To improve my effects I am going to] take classes, buy more makeup to do the effects and keep practicing,” Tartareanu said. You can see Tartareanu’s work on her Instagram pages, @vivtartareanu, or @beautybyviv. Page by: Justin Andrews, Dana Brownewell, Casey Lessentine, Kristen Mirabelli, Viraj Patel, Madison Sandoval, Gabriella Shumylo Photo by: Justin Andrews

The core of autumn

Britney Fijut (11) picks an apple at the County Line Orchard. For just $1, visitors can purchase a general admission pass and can pick apples in the field. “It was an experience that I won’t forget with friends, who mean everything to me. The apples were pretty good too,” Fijut said. Photo by: Paityn Emro

picking out the best of fall at the county line orchard

As the leaves change and weather turns crisp, Lake County goes all out for its fall festivities. From festivals to apple orchards, there are a variety of activities to attend. One of the most popular autumnal attractions is County Line Orchard located in Hobart, Ind. “It’s a family-oriented, cute place to hang out. There’s a corn maze, a hayride and apple picking. There are great donuts, and the ice cream with the donuts is really good,” Victoria Chavez (11) said. The County Line Orchard is open Aug. 31 through Oct. 30. The orchard also has a pumpkin patch and live musical performances throughout the months of September and October. Musical performances take place on the Main stage and Welcome Barn stage. Other notable attractions include an orchard store, a bee yurt, hayrides and tractor rides. “It’s a really big event in the fall. Lots of people in Lake County go there. They have everything from apple picking to fest activities. I wouldn’t really call it an attraction, but they have everything that you can think of that’s related to fall, ” Sydney Batinick (11) said. The orchard provides 40 acres of apples to pick. The County Line Orchard’s U-Pick apples in the field are available in Jubilee Fuji, Suncrisp, Melrose, Shizuka, Golden Delicious, Enterprise, Keepsake, Sundance, Red

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Delicious, Granny Smith, Jonagold and Rome. The apples can also be bought pre-picked in the barn. Pre-picked apple varieties include Honeycrisp, Gala, Jonagolds, Jubilee, Fuji and McIntosh. “I like picking the apples. It’s my favorite part. Being around apples and crisp weather always helps me get into the fall spirit,” Elizabeth Slager (11) said. The County Line Orchard is well-known for its seasonal donuts, which are available in pumpkin spice and apple spice flavors. Donuts are baked daily in the bakery, which also sells pies, bread and cookies. “I really like the pumpkin donuts. The caramel apples and the apple donuts are why I go to the orchard,” Katherine Veronesi (12) said. County Line Orchard, along with other festivities, is popular among students wanting to celebrate autumn. Seasonal events are a great transition into the holiday season, following soon after the autumnal equinox. “I love the whole fall environment, and I think it’s great that we have something nearby that we can go and experience the fall,” Sara Ramos (12) said. Although many autumnal attractions are Halloween based, there are many activities that celebrate the season as a whole. County Line is a great attraction for all ages. The harvest activities are great for those who want to celebrate without the scares. Whether you are planning on going to the County Line Orchard or any other seasonal attraction, there are many fun and local activities to help you get into the fall spirit. “I like the apple orchard. Not even just picking apples, but walking through the orchard. Since you are outside, you get the feeling that the air is changing, and the seasons are changing, too. I think it is something fun to do because there isn’t a lot to do in Indiana. Visiting the apple orchard is something people can definitely get into,” Alexandria Caliban (10) said.

Page by: Emily Gaines, Molly Fischer, Jovana Laporsek, Anna Mccuaig, Amber Murray, Sabina Solarczyk, Samantha Szewczyk and Lauren Wisniewski

fantastic fall festivities Five key attractions for a well-rounded season Haunted HOuses

Haunted Houses are one of the most popular autumn attractions in Northwest Indiana. Some of the most popular haunted attractions are the Lake Hills Haunted House in St. John, Amhurst Asylum Haunted Attraction in Valparaiso and Haunted Hills Hospital in Portage. Haunted attractions are often inspired by real locations, such as the Amhurst Asylum. Haunted Houses are a great opportunity for students to test their acting abilities by working as scare-actors. They are great social events to mingle with friends and meet new people in the community. Since haunted houses have sinister atmospheres, they are a great way to get into a spooky mood. All haunted houses mentioned are open during the weekends in October.

Six Flags fright fest

Many students seek thrills from spooky attractions in the weeks leading up to Halloween. The Six Flags Fright Fest in Gurnee, Ill. is a popular attraction for those who seek the scare. Scare-actors paired with intense roller coasters create a thrilling environment for those who attend. Although the day is still family friendly, the night is when the dark and spooky arise and haunt the park. There are designated ‘scare zones’ throughout the park for thrill-seekers who enjoy nonstop fear. The Fright Fest also includes live performances and an LED light show. The Fright Fest is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in October, Monday, Oct. 10 and Monday, Oct. 31. More flags mean more frights during the spooky season.

pumpkin patch

Pumpkin patches are an autumn classic, and they’re not just for kids. In Northwest Indiana, there is Tuttle Orchards, Harvest Thyme pumpkin patch, Norm’s Pumpkin farm, Hogan Farms Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze, Kregel’s Pumpkin Patch and Stanton Road Pumpkin Patch. Pumpkin patches include fun activities such as hayrides, corn mazes, petting zoos and pony rides. Aside from the fun activities, pumpkin patches are great for picking out pumpkins for decorations, making jack-o-lanterns or for other recreational purposes. Pumkin patches often incorporate art into their displays and activities for a more fulfilling experience. For those who want a fun activity for the whole family, the pumpkin patch is the place to be.

fall festivals

For those wanting to get into the fall spirit without the scares, fall festivals are a great alternative to haunted attractions. Many fall festivals are in support of local businesses and art to benefit the community. Fall festivals include family-friendly events for all ages. Many fall festivals span through the entire fall season, not just October. The Highland Fall Festival takes place Oct. 21-23, Taltree Arboretum in Valparaiso hosts fall events every day in October and Oct. 1 is the fall crafter’s fair in Shipshewana Ind. Fall festivals include a mix of live performances, crafts, attractions and games. Some fall festivals include trick-or-treating and costume contests. Fall festivals are a fantastic event to celebrate the season of autumn.

Fair oaks farm

Many students know Fair Oaks Farm from elementary school field trips, but this farm does a lot more than tours. Fair Oaks hosts Cowtober on Oct. 8-9 from 9 to 5p.m. Aside from visiting the cows and the normal daily events, the festivities include many fall related events including trick-or-treating, a craft show, a giant pumpkin display, celebrity pumpkin carvers David Smith and John Neill who competed on the Food Network’s “Halloween Wars”, a monster themed dance off and musical performances. The trick-or-treating event is hosted by local businesses and vendors from 10 a.m.-noon. Costumes are encouraged. If you’re looking for a Halloween event minus the spooks, Fair Oaks Farm is your place to look.

Lake Hills Haunted House Photo by: Jessica Wojton

Haunted houses

trick Or

treat? During the Halloween season, haunted houses open to the public. Haunted houses are seen as a major cultural aspect of Halloween. Some haunted houses are entirely fictional and other haunted houses are local landmarks that are believed to be haunted. Haunted houses often include a mix of creepy landscapes and interior decorating, jumpscares and scare-actors. “I enjoy the thrill of being scared. I need people jumping out at me and [I like to be] scared out of my skin. I need to be very surprised. If I know what’s coming, it’s not the same,” Preston Petrie (12) said. Many people enjoy haunted houses for the feeling of nonstop uncertainty, chills and thrills. Haunted houses can be fun to attend with friends as a social event during the Halloween season. “I [enjoy] going in [haunted houses because] you’re afraid, but you know it’s not real, so it’s fun,” Taylor Gibson (11) said. Although haunted houses are popular, they are not for everyone. Some people do not enjoy the triggering scares, tight spaces and constant darkness. “I’m not a big [fan of] scares, but I will go [to haunted houses] if all my friends go,” Paige Kotecki (11) said. Haunted houses are sometimes criticised for the expensive admission. Many believe that haunted houses are underwhelming and not worth the cost. Some believe that fear is not an emotion to pay for. “You’re paying to be scared. Why would anyone want to do that?” Brooke Scartozzi (12) said. Haunted houses are not just local attractions; they have made their way onto television and in movies as well. Shows like “American Horror Story: Murder House” and movies such as “The Conjuring” explore living in a haunted house. Whether you live for the scare or not, haunted houses are extremely popular in the fall months and are a great way to celebrate the spooky season.

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30 S C O U T / O C T O B E R I S S U E / L I F E S T Y L E

If I Were President Jacob Zak (12) @Jakefzak Aug 31 #IfIWerePresident students would have good lunches and unrestricted wifi access

#IfIWerePresident the government would self-destruct because I wasn’t born in the US Ana Zanza (12)

@ana_zanza Sept 8

Bradley Loden (12)

Sebastian Luna (11)

@brad_loden Aug 31 #IfIWerePresident LC would have a men’s volleyball team and cheerleading would be a sport in Indiana.

@ ToTheLuna Aug 31 #IfIWerePresident students wouldn’t feel the need to bring winter jackets to class

Olivia Born (12)

Bianca Alessia (12)

Joshua Macki (11)

@BornOlivia Aug 31 #IfIWerePresident I’d tell Mrs. Fandl to come back ASAP!!

@bbbiancaalessia Aug 31 #IfIWerePresident I’d turn down the a/c in the building!!

@MinisterMacki Aug 31 #IfIWerePresident I would bring Harambe back

Colin Blaze (12) @colinblaze1 Sept 1 #IfIWerePresident I could do literally anything and be better than the current candidates

Kyle Orciuch (11) Brianna Clyde (11) @Bclyde00 Sept 9 #IfIWerePresident we would get late starts on Mondays

@kyle9883 Sept 1 #IfIWerePresident I would develop a platform for a direct democracy for national referendums

Ryan Voss(11) @reyeanvoss Aug 31 #IfIWerePresident I’d make Mr. Jackowski my VP, he would be great at Americas mission statement, the preamble and criss principles

Sarah Tellas (11) @sarah_tellas Aug 31 #IfIWerePresident I’d get rid of traditional days and bring back matrix!!

Jack Bosold (12) @JackTBosold Aug 31 #IfIWerePresident Ben Nisle would be forced to stop hitting so many home runs @bnisle10

Benjamin Nisle (12) @bnisle10 Aug 31 #IfIWerePresident men’s volleyball is all I gotta say

Colm Tomaszewski (11) @colm_airsoft Sept 1 #IfIWerePresident well, I wouldn’t want to be president.

Kaylie Katsiris (10) @kkatsiris254 Aug 31 #IfIWerePresident I would try my hardest to help end poverty and world hunger!!

Madison Madgziarz (12)

Jessica Hearne (12)

Caleb Beasley (12)

@galacticredhead Sep 8 #IfIWerePresident I’d make it a law to be a decent human being

@jesshearne Sep 8 #IfIWerePresident I would make everyday pasta Wednesday

@calebbeasley24 Sep 8 #IfIWerePresident Women would be paid as equal as men! Page by: Julia Casner, Grace Cistaro, Brianna Clarke, Madelyn Kruszewski, Biance Matchain, Mackenzie Moore and Nicole Reitz

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