Scout - December 2017 by Lake Central Comet

SCOUT

VOLUME 53 / DEC. ISSUE / LAKE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL / ST. JOHN, IN

material world Happiness comes in different forms, but students feel material objects provide a sense of pride they canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t obtain anywhere else.

IN THIS ISSUE

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR We live in a material world. From the cars we drive, to the shoes we wear, everything seems to have a brand name. There’s one question that usually arises when talking about materialism: can money make someone happy? Could a material object give someone joy? My answer to that question is yes. I truly believe that ‘things’ can make people happy. I don’t, however, think that material items are the sole cause of happiness. As cheesy as it sounds, I am happiest when I’m with people I love. As much as I enjoy receiving gifts and shopping, I don’t think it contributes at all to myself as a person. I feel as if taking pride in having luxurious items is okay, but when the objects define a person is when it is a problem. The simple, everyday things we have and people we encounter everyday are things we take for granted. Not everyone has the opportunity to wake up and go to school. I haven’t had a lot of time to

DISCUSSION

Scout is a student run publication of Lake Central High School in St. John, Indiana. All content is student directed and produced. Questions and comments can be directed to Courtney Rhomberg at courtneyrhomberg2000@gmail.com. OUR IDENTITY, Coverphotoby:CourtneyRhomberg

sit down and think about how much I really have. I am truly thankful for all of the material objects I have, but I am so much more thankful for the people I surround myself with. At one point in my life, I really did care about having a nice car, or having the most expensive clothes. I took a step back and realized that I have so many things in my life that are more than enough for me. I realize this around the holiday season, when I am more excited for spending time with my family than I am for the gifts. Living in a world where new products are produced and improved everyday, it's seemingly impossible to get away from new technology. However, new technology isn't bad, it helps better our education and the world around us. Whether it may be practicing minimalism or materialism, people can find happiness by leading different lifestyles, and accepting others for their beliefs.

Students explore materialism and what it actually means to be materialistic. Read about how students practice materialism and how demanding the lifestyle can be.

THEIR IDENTITY ART FORM

6 8

WINTER PERCUSSION Read about how winter percussion starts reheasing for their upcoming season.

BEHIND THE SCENES

Learn the process behind creating a theater production and all the work that is put into making a show.

ATHLETICS

12 14

GIRL'S BASKETBALL

Explore how the girls basketball team dontates money and their time to a womens shelter.

INTRAMURAL

See how students are getting involved in athletics through intramural volleyball.

OUR FOOD SERVICE

Although school days can be busy, read about how the lunch staff works to provide hot meals and clean for our school everyday. Read about who these women are and learn what their interests are beyond the kitchen.

MATERIAL MATTER

TEACHER PAY

How are teachers actually paid? Learn how teachers pay works with the teachers union, and how it affects the student body.

CLAIRE'S STORY

Learn how Claire Hickey (11) defies gender stereotypes through athletics. From learning after her older brother, Hickey shows her hockey skills.

COURTNEY RHOMBERG

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

STAFF SCOUT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Courtney Rhomberg

ADVISORS Mrs. Sarah Verpooten Ms. Carrie Wadycki

DESIGN EDITORS Mia Brann Anni Rajput Melicah Rodriguez Samantha Szewczyk

TEAM LEADERS Dana Brownewell Karisa Candreva Julia Casner Bianca Matchain Danica Mileusnic Nicole Reitz Ashley Robinson Gabriella Shumylo Sabina Solarczyk Maisie Westerfield

EDITORS Justin Andrews Camille Bereolos Jessica Cook Molly Fischer Hannah Hill Kevin Holechko Brittany Howell Bailey Lewis Kristen Mirabelli Michael Pucci Madison Sandoval Brianna Sarkisian Lauren Wisniewski Mikaila Zvyak

STAFF MEMBERS Charmagne Abangan Jovani Alcantar Frida Arellano Emily Bell Amariah Burgess Jed Burgos Jared Carroll Allison Centanni Morrissa Chinn Scott Daniels Meghan DeChene Ayah Eid Claire Faberbock Samuel Fiera Faith Huenecke Hannah Kosinski Jovana Laporsek

Casey Lessentine Mia Martinez Jade Mehok Matt Mergenthaler Amber Murray Yousef Nammari Kieran Newton Madeline Niewiadomski Ricardo Paz Haley Renner Kiley Szatkowski Morgan Taylor Michelle Testa Angelika Trybunia

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ART FORM While some students know the stars of the show and enjoy the marching band halftime performances, other creative groups can be overlooked. Although percussionists are a known part of every band, the winter percussion ensemble showcases them on their own. Looking from a different perspective, one can see the unnamed contributors working behind the scenes of every production. Olivia LaVoie (11), Alexa Spasevski (12) and Paige Varady (10) act on stage during a scene in “The Ash Girl.” Opening night of the show was Nov. 3. Photo By: Joshua Chen

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SNOW

wintertime drumline marches into the season Page by: Karisa Candreva, Scott Daniels, Faith Huenecke, Casey Lessentine and Michelle Testa

of December pretty much,” Gabriel Ivezic (12) said. Although winter percussion includes varying percussion instruments, the size of the band itself is only a fraction of the other bands. “The group you are working with is smaller. In marching band [there are around] 200 people. Winter percussion [there are] around 20,” Kearschner said. Winter percussion performances previously focused on the students playing their instruments station-

“YOU LEARN DRILL OR A SET, CERTAIN WAYS THAT YOU’RE MOVING AND THEN YOU ADD MUSIC ON TOP OF THAT.”

AND SNARES

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“There are the woodwind and brass instruments, the front ensemble, the percussionists, the drumline and the color guard, which are the visual flavor of marching band. If you watch a marching band show, you can’t really hear drums [and] all the little intricate parts,” Le said.

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ary; however, this season the group will be competing in more dynamic competitions. “In previous years we’ve done sort of a concert setting where we have all of the different instruments but we don’t move around. I’m assuming that [this year is going to] be similar to marching band practices where you learn drill or a set, certain ways that you’re moving and then you add music on top of that,” Philip Jurek (12) said. By participating in winter percussion, the percussionists are able to practice during the months they are not in marching band. “Even if you don’t even play percussion we can find a space for you. A lot of the stationary percussion can be easy to learn so it’s fun and it’s a great experience if you want to do it,” Magura said.

“[Winter percussion] includes drumline and a front ensemble. It’s movement based, so it’s going to have theatrical aspects. It’s going to help improve the drumline year round because instead of having off season [we will] always be playing [in the] winter together,” Petter Le (11) said.

MARCHING BAND

1. The marching band percussion group practices one of their pieces. The marching band showed off their talents during performances at the school. Photo by: Karisa Candreva 2. Jackson Lopez (9) clashes the cymbals together. Jackson joined the percussion group this year as a freshman. Photo by: Karisa Candreva 3. Alexander Kohut (10) performs at halftime during the homecoming game. Kohut has performed with the group multiple times during his high school career. Photo by: Karisa Candreva 4. The marching band percussion group performs along with the color guard during the homecoming game. These percussionists assisted in the marching band’s placement at state finals. Photo by: Maisie Westerfield

“I think the big difference is you don’t perform in front of as big crowds, instead you perform in a gymnasium and it’s a lot calmer,” Bailey Kearschner (12) said. The band will face a change of direction when their season begins. “Last year we had Mr. [Dave] Nelson, [Music], teach it, and now we have our new percussion instructor, Jesse Backes, who came from a famous group called the Cavaliers [Drum and Bugle Corps],” Sophia Powers (10) said. Similar to other bands, winter percussion is comprised of students who practice and perform outside of school. “The difference is it’s in the winter and it is an extracurricular activity. We compete about four or five times. It goes until like a month after spring break and starts right at the end

WINTER PERCUSSION

hile percussionists are a part of every band, the winter percussion band showcases these instrumentalists all by themselves. “[Winter percussion is] basically like marching band on a smaller scale, but with only percussionists, so there’s marching drums and also a front ensemble, stationary percussion,” Allison Magura (11) said. The winter percussion band performs indoors instead of outdoors and uses the regular marching band uniforms.

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BEHIND

PREPARING FOR THE PLAY

OCT. STEP 1: REVIEW SCRIPT

OCT. STEP 2: GATHER MATERIALS

The theatre company starts off their production by reviewing the script. This helps the set crew in knowing where the blocking is going to be. Actors knowing their movement on stage is important for tech workers to do their job.

OCT. STEP 3: CONSTRUCT SET

THE SCENES

Once the blocking has been covered, the tech team reviews the script to get inspiration for building the set. When the team has an idea, they measure, gather and pull in materials for the set.

OCT. STEP 4: TECH WEEK

The set is constructed by the students who are assigned at least one set change to complete during the show. During construction the set shop is utilized for big props or anything that needs to be constructed.

This is an opportunity for the crew to make any necessary changes and adjustments to the set including lighting, sound, props, or blocking. Actors are in full makeup and microphones in order to achieve the full effect of an actual show.

DID YOU KNOW?

taking a sneak peek behind tech week

The auditorium is equipped with 18 intelligent, motorized lights, while Purdue University only has six. Intelligent lights help create creative and complicated arrangements.

Page by: Amariah Burgess and Bianca Matchain

ake Central’s Theatre Company (LCTC) is known for outstanding shows, but many do not think about the process behind the final production. “I am on the lighting team and we are watching where all the actors are on the stage and where we need to focus the attention of the audience. We are lighting pieces of the stage with either colors or lights so people can see the action in the show,” Sophia Boeckstiegel (12) said. Along with the lighting team, there is a team to make the set, props, costumes and control the sound. With the help of the costume team, Ms. Nicole Raber's, Guidance, costumes are brought to life. This group is vital to the success of the performance. “We bring the set to life by making it more realistic. If they need food, we find food. If they need real food, we buy real food so they can play with it. My freshman year I went with my friends and we got into tech, and from there I loved it so much that I have been doing it for

four years now,” Erika Araujo (12) said. Although there is a team doing different tasks, it all comes together during “tech week” where dress rehearsals take place combining the actors and technical elements on stage. “It’s really rewarding to see the end product because everyone’s worked so hard, so when we finally get to see everything put together, especially during tech week with opening night, it's really nice. All this hard work you put into the production is worth it, and people enjoy it. It is nice to see,” Araujo said. While shows are an amazing experience for the audience, they also create unbreakable connections among the cast. “Growing closer with the performers and crew makes working with them more enjoyable and less difficult. After only a couple of rehearsals, I can already say that I definitely want to participate in more theatrical plays throughout the rest of my high school years,” Brianna Rhomberg (9) said.

“IT’S REALLY REWARDING TO SEE THE ENDING PRODUCT BECAUSE EVERYONE HAS WORKED SO HARD.”

LAKE CENTRAL

“

I prepared for the show by learning how siblings act toward each other as I am an only child. It was so cool playing someone who was just the polar opposite of me and it shows in the first scene. I played a very awful person. This play was my first time having a big part, so I also had to put in more time for memorizing lines," Paige Varady (10) said.

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PURDUE

1. Olivia Lavoie (11), Paige Verady (10) and Alexa Spasevski (12) perform on opening night. "The Ash Girl" is a take on Cinderella based around the idea of the seven deadly sins. 2. Miranda Munoz (11) adjusts the sound board before the show. This is the second fall show performance in the new auditorium 3. Vanessa Torres (12) and Theodoros Karras (12) act as the prince and princess in "The Ash Girl." The characters are arguing about who the prince will marry.

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ATHLETICS Sports teams tend to require a lot of commitment that can dominate players’ lives. These activities, though, do not always occur in or with the school. Teams find ways to use their leadership in different ways to benefit themselves as well as their communities. Lauren Smolen (12) shoots a free throw during the first game of the season against North Central High School. The girls lost the game with a final score of 53-47. Photo by: Gabriella Shumylo

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Team dunks, dribbles and donates

HOOPS AND HOPE

Pageby:AshleyRobinson

oach Joseph Huppenthal, Mathematics, felt that it was important to give back to the community with his team. The girls varsity basketball coach had strong feelings on why the team should donate. “I think a lot of us here at Lake Central are pretty fortunate. If we had the ability to share those things then I think that we should,” Coach Huppenthal said. The girls immediately took advantage of their platform to begin collecting donations. “We gathered items for the St. Jude House in Crown Point, and we delivered and donated them. We set up boxes at [our] basketball games and people would bring stuff and put it in the boxes as a donation,” Justine Misch (11) said. The donation center was in need of many items in order to provide a comfortable living situation for their inhabitants. “We donated toilet paper, soap, toothbrushes, deodorant [and] perfume. Just stuff that women would need on a daily basis, and the kids too,” Bailey Fehrman (11) said. Upon arriving at the house with their donations, the girls were able to talk to an advisor who worked at the St. Jude House.

UPCOMING GAMES

Jan. 2 Washington High School Home, 6 p.m.

Jan. 6 Highland Invite Away, 1 p.m.

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED? Although the girls have already taken their items to the St. Jude’s House, there are still opportunities for one to donate. Be sure to check out the donation center’s website, www.stjudehouse.org, to learn more about what the house is in need of. There are also two opportunities to donate online. The house accepts direct money donations. One can also link his or her Amazon account to directly donate to the house. Learn more about these options on the website or by calling (219) 662-7066.

Jan. 10 Gary West Side High School Home, 7 p.m.

“DONATING REALLY HIT ME IN THE HEART. WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE AND I’M VERY HAPPY THAT WE GOT TO COLLECT GIFTS TO BRING THEM,” RACHAEL ROBARDS (12) SAID.

“While we were there we had a lady talk to us. She told us how everything works and what our donations meant to them because they were getting low on their daily hygiene items. They were really grateful for everything we gave them, even the small things,” Fehrman said. The girls also got an opportunity to learn more about who their donations were going to. “[We donated to] women that were abused and the house was a safe place for them to go. We donated [items] so that the house could be a safe place that could keep [the women] away from the people that abused them,” Misch said. Coach Huppenthal felt that it was necessary for the chosen charity to have a deeper meaning for his players. “I think it was eye-opening for the girls to make sure that they’re being treated right if they’re in any kind of relationship,” Coach Huppenthal said. After being able to donate and deliver their items, the girls were hit with many emotions and realizations. “I think that [donating] shouldn’t be on occasion and that [it] should be more regular and everyday. People should start giving back. It made us realize that being on a team isn’t just basketball, it’s the community and family,” Fehrman said.

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1. The starting lineup for the girls varsity basketball team huddles before the beginning of their game. The girls lost to North Central High School. Photo by: Ashley Robinson 2. The varsity and JV players pose for a photo outside of the St. Jude’s House. Items were collected during most home games. Photo submitted by: Justine Misch 3. Cheyenne Mathas (12) passes the ball behind her back to throw off her opponent. Mathas played for the team for four years. Photo by: Gabriella Shumylo 4. Lauren Smolen (12) searches for a team mate to pass the ball to. The team was coached by Mr. Joseph Huppenthal, Mathematics. Photo by: Gabriella Shumylo

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INTRAMURAL 3

“

SPORTS

[The administration] wanted to give students an opportunity to compete with their friends. It’s less demanding and you are just playing game. You’re not going through training and practicing – you get to come out and compete. The goal is to have at least three intramural seasons throughout the school year. We had softball scheduled, but we couldn’t get enough teams now we have enough for volleyball. We are going to try [to] do basketball in March,” Mr. Andrew Gurnak, Physical Education, said.

start of something new Page by: Charmagne Abangan, Jovanni Alcantar, Brittney Howell, Jovana Laporsek, Bailey Lewis, Madelyn Niewiadomski, Ricardo Paz, Brianna Sarkisian and Gabriella Shumylo

ecause getting onto sports teams can be a challenge, the administrative staff introduced intramural sports, a new way to become involved in an athletic team without the commitments of a typical school sport.

Tuesday and Thursday and can be an alternative for those who have not made teams or those who enjoy playing sports as a hobby. “It’s a fun activity you can do with your friends and is a good alternative for people who aren’t in sports,” Alyssa

7 1. Justin Graves (12) listens to Coach Andrew Gurnak, Physical Education, explain the rules of Intramural volleyball. Graves practiced some tricks with the ball before the game started. Photo By: Molly Fischer 2. Keon Sellers (12) (right) hits the ball over the head of Kage Leavitt (11) (left). The first intramural volleyball game was on Thursday, Nov. 2. Photo by: Molly Fischer 3. Coach Andrew Gurnak, Physical Education, explains the rules of volleyball to the participants. Gurnak and the administration teamed up to start intramural sports. Photo by: Molly Fischer 4. The team congratulates each other after scoring. They gave each other high fives to congratulate one another. Photo by: Molly Fischer 5. Lia Rynberk (11) and Brianna Barone (11) rejoice after scoring. This was Rynberk’s first year participating in intramural sports. Photo by: Molly Fischer 6. Kage Leavitt (11) gets ready to serve the ball. Leavitt was on a team consisting of his friends. Photo by: Amber Murray 7. Mallory Uzelac (11) attempts to serve the ball to the other side. Uzelac was on a team called the Flatliners. Photo by: Molly Fischer

“INTRAMURAL IS MORE FOR FUN AND NOT AS COMPETITIVE,” KAYLEE MAROVICH (12) SAID.

“I never really heard of the word intramural until it came up on the intercom, but when I heard basketball, I was all ears. I never thought about trying out for LC’s team because I did not think I had a chance since I was not at all aggressive on the court,” Kathrynn Vettas (10) said. Intramural teams meet every

Gomez (11) said. Intramural sports includes volleyball, and possibly basketball in March. “I got interested in intramural [sports] because of my friend, Kathrynn [Vettas] (10). She told me that I had to do it with her, and since it wouldn’t interfere with my [swim] season, I was cool with it,” Christy Tham (10) said.

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OUR IDENTITY, THEIR IDENTITY

Many people think students and staff members are strictly what we see of them during the school day. They all live individual lives with families, friends and hobbies. The people that surround us do more than work. They have a different way of living with an individual perspective.

Georgianna Boatright and Jennifer Davis work in the school kitchen. All 28 women have done a lot for the school. Page by: Dana Brownewell and Sabina Solarczyk Photo by: Bailey Lewis

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BEYOND THE KITCHEN Page by: Frida Arellano, Dana Brownewell, Jed Burgos and Allison Centanni

ROSEMARY BEDNEREK

“

[Some things I do are] production sheets, maps, making sure the food is here and helping Wendy Livingston in the store room on Mondays and Thursdays. I like hands-on things and serving them the food most. We work hard once we get here and it’s nonstop. The kids can be frustrating because they won’t pick up their stuff and you have to babysit them in the morning to make sure that they clear up the stuff on the tables. Cleaning up garbage is a big issue this year. [When I’m not at school] I like to ride motorcycles with my husband. I got into it when my husband started riding. It’s relaxing, it just makes you want to keep going and going and not come back. It’s my favorite pastime. [I also enjoy] when my boys come over and watch sports every Sunday and I cook.

“

[Some things I do are] serve the kids’ lunches, prep the food to make sure everything is in the proper place, take temperatures of the food and make sure it’s at the right temperature. Depending on where you are in the kitchen, you have a different set of jobs. I like it all [serving food and taking temperatures]. [I never get frustrated] because even the rude kids need love, but [I wish the students realized] how hard we work. Sometimes we feel like we aren’t very appreciated, especially when we have to go out and clean up after them, [but] I chose this job because my husband works swing shifts, so he’s usually at work while my daughter is at school. My husband works at the mill, so it is harder for us to get time together, but when we do, we like to be outside as much as we can. Whether it could be camping or doing outdoor scavenger hunts with my daughter, hiking or just ordering pizza and watching a movie. [In our free time] we go to Turkey Run and Starved Rock a lot.

“ WENDY LIVINGSTON

“

LINDA PINTLER

I cashier, stir, clean, do tables, wash dishes and fill merchandisers [such as] bottles and cutlery. Also [my coworkers and I] wash floors and do all of the cleaning. I like doing pots and pans because it’s fast moving and I like to keep moving. [The one thing that I wish students would understand is] respect, that’s all that we want. We were your age one time a hundred years ago, but we were your age. I like to do a lot of things [in my free time] including volunteering at a food pantry at Saint James in Highland. I cater there, and I also like to go antiquing in Crown Point and garage sales because it’s calming. It’s a little bit back into the old days, seeing [older] stuff and the good bargains is nice. I really like being [with my family] and having my grand kids come over.

DIANA WEST

Student’s don’t usually take into account that staff members have a life outside of school. After learning more about our lunch ladies’ lives, we know there’s more to the story.

[I do] all kinds of stuff. I’m the manager so it’s just a means of placing orders and putting orders away. [It’s also] making sure the ladies are where they need to be and making sure all the food gets out. We work very hard back here. It’s a lot of lifting and going in the freezer. We pick up 30 pounds or more boxes and put them away. There’s a lot of stuff that goes on in a day. It’s the perfect hours for [family] stuff. We are here until 1:30 p.m., some of us start at six and others come in later. Everyone has family time and can be home for their kids. [I like to] be with my grandchildren, just spending time with them. Nothing really bothers me [and students] don’t always pick up their garbage. We have to deal with it [the garbage] but it’s not that it bothers us.

GEORGIANNA BOATRIGHT

“

ANNETTE HAYES

“

We come in and stock the coolers and chip carts and make sure everything’s ready. [We also] open our doors, count our money. One week I’ll be on register, and the next week I’ll be in the dining room.The only thing that really bothers me is when I’m out in the dining room and I tell kids to do something or to stop doing something they shouldn’t be and [they] just ignore me. [I wish the kids would] have respect towards adults. That’s the only thing I would like to see them do. I chose this job so I could be off in the summer, holidays and weekends, so I only work three and a half hours a day so it doesn’t interfere [with my family time]. I like to work on my yard and spend time with my grandkids. I play golf with my grandchildren. My grandson plays baseball and my granddaughter is in gymnastics, so I always go to their meets and baseball games. [When I was in high school] I played softball, played the piano and I was a bowler. I’ve been bowling since I was seven years old, and I still play now.

When I was in highschool, I wasn’t the best student. I was in cheerleading and basketball. I also was in journalism. I was in Express Mail Service and I was working 18 to 20 hours a day, but it was too much because I never had family time. I applied here and the next week I got a phone call. It was as if I was meant to be here, so I started in serving lines. Within a year and a half, I became a cook. [When I’m at work] I make the cookies and parfaits every morning. I do the entrees in the afternoon. [I never get frustrated because] we just got to go with the flow. I think for the most part the kids realize [that my coworkers and I work hard]. This is a perfect job for moms because we get to come to work for a few hours a day and then go home to our family and kids. It’s nice to have the weekends off because I like to go to the movies with my grandchildren and do sports like BMX, cheerleading, baseball, softball and volleyball. [My grandkids] are from two years old to 15 years old. They spend the night a lot, probably every other weekend. [My husband and I] make sure we keep our grandkids at least once a month so we get to see them. I think you get to a certain stage in life where when you first start your career; your career is more important. I’ve become very patient and I think I’m far more outgoing than I used to be. I used to be very shy and intimidated by people but now I am more comfortable being around people. But as you age, you decide that your family is more important. You see your time with them becoming shorter and it becomes more important.

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CLAIRE

work hard, play hockey

Page by: Claire Faberbock, Jade Mehok and Sabina Solarczyk

or Claire Hickey (11), hockey has been one of the most important aspects of her life since she was a child. “I’ve been playing [hockey] since I was 10. I got into it because my brother played. He’s a really good player and he plays in college, but [it’s] not really competitive. I was constantly around the rink,” Hickey said. When the sport of hockey comes to one’s mind, people usually picture the tall and burly men that are shown on television. The reality is that many more girls play hockey than one might expect. “A lot of people are like, ‘Wow, girls play hockey?’ In Illinois [where I practice], it is really popular; most high school teams have it,” Hickey said. Hickey plays on an all girls team that competes in many different tournaments in and out of state. Girls all around the country are showing boys that they have just as much strength as them by competing in games and tournaments against them. “With my team there’s a college coordinator and it’s AAA youth hockey so we travel all over the world [to compete]. It gives me better opportunities. The farthest I’ve traveled was to Vermont,” Hickey said. Being in the Olympics is a goal that many

HICKEY

“A LOT OF LIFE LESSONS [COME FROM HOCKEY]. IF YOU PUT IN THE WORK, YOU WILL GET SO MUCH OUT OF IT. HOCKEY IS JUST LIKE ANY JOB.”

see as impossible to reach, but to Hickey, it is the only thing that is on her mind. She is determined to keep on working and practicing to further her skills and accomplish this goal. “I love [hockey] and I’d like to move [farther in my career]. My goal is [to make it to] the Olympics. You work hard, you move up, you meet good friends,” Hickey said. Each game that is played ends with a different feeling. Some games end with an exciting victory, but some end in a disappointing loss. All of the stress and loss are worth it when everyone comes together and works as a team. “I like big wins. When it is a gritty game, it’s a good game. [When] the game is two to one or one to nothing, it’s more fun to play in and [we] work harder. In the close games, it’s all or nothing. You have to have an ‘I have to score’ mentality” Hickey said. Being as dedicated to a sport as Hickey is can take up a lot of time and effort. It can sometimes even make it difficult to balance responsibilities between school and other possible extracurriculars. Missing school can affect grades and grade point average.

Playing the sport requires a lot of attention and management of time, but to Hickey, the amount of effort put into practice is not an issue. “[Hockey affects my schoolwork] a little bit. I have to stay after school a lot and make up what I missed. We practice two to three times a week,” Hickey said. When a student devotes her life to a sport, it can result in getting scholarships or other academic advantages. But the road to receiving these benefits can cause a lot of stress and require a lot of extra work to be done. “[When] I get home from hockey practice I do homework as much as I don’t want to, I have to do it. I have to stay after school a lot and make up what I missed,” Hickey said. Hickey’s dedication does not only bring her far in her hockey career, it also provides her with many advantages that benefit her personal life. “You learn so much from [hockey]. [It taught me] not create drama or any of that in my friend groups. It doesn’t work well on teams, it doesn’t work well with your friends,” Hickey said.

“YOU HAVE TO BE CONFIDENT AND WORK HARD.”

1. Claire Hickey (10) slides a puck across the ice. Hickey continuously slammed it into the goal. 2. Hickey stands facing the opposite side of the rink. She plays on a Illinois hockey team. 3. Hickey stands out on the ice. She has learned a lot of leadership skills while playing in the rink. Photos by: Justin Andrews

ISSUE 2 / OUR IDENTITY, THEIR IDENTITY / 21

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DISCUSSION Money is an integral part of survival. How much money an individual has can dictate his or her life style and well-being. The Administration and School Board discuss Oct. 23 at the School Board meeting. Photo By: Danica Mileusnic

ISSUE 2/DISCUSSION/23

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Matter

the cost of happiness

DO STUDENTS CONSIDER THEMSELVES TO BE MATERIALISTIC?

Page by: Ayah Eid, Hannah Kosinski, Nicole Reitz, Morgan Taylor and Angelika Trybunia

aterialists consider possessions and physical comfort as more important than spiritual values. “I consider myself a materialist because certain things make me feel good about myself. I compensate for the lack of emotional being that I have for material things,” Ethan Myszak (10) said. Materialists often find that nothing exists except happiness that comes from matter, causing them to spend loads of money on certain items to give

OVER

MIND

the materialistic lifestyle can become expensive. “Even though Heelys are expensive, I love them and I wish I could buy more. This obsession is ruining my bank account,” Daniel Sek (10) said. People often become attached to material possessions, causing them to spend money on things they do not necessarily need. “I think it’s about how long you’ve had the things you’ve had. You need to have a bond with it instead of buying new stuff and throwing away

DOES LC HAVE A MATERIALISM PROBLEM?

“I LIKE TO LOOK NICE AND I LIKE NICE THINGS. I LIKE EXPENSIVE THINGS AND SPENDING MONEY.” them satisfaction. “I like to look nice, and I like nice things. I like expensive things and spending money makes me happy. I do not enjoy the little things in life,” Myszak said. The idea of spending money on things may seem like a waste to nonmaterialists and can make a materialist seem selfish. “I spent $75 on Versace underwear. I think a lot of my friends were mad because they don’t have jobs so they don’t have money, but at that point I had a ton of money over the summer. It is just really funny when people are like ‘Why would you spend so much on a pair of underwear?’, but I can afford it. It just works,” Dallon Jones (12) said. While living with the obsession of being happy by physical objects,

your old stuff without caring about it. I think that’s more important,” Austen Rex (10) said. Although the obsession with having expensive items has grown in popularity, the idea of having almost nothing is becoming a new trend. “I started practicing minimalism when I started to move. I was looking through my stuff, and I realized how much stuff I had that I didn’t need and didn’t use. I began to clean things, and I started reading up on minimalism and tidying and living with less,” Samantha Bredar (12) said. Rather than finding happiness in more than one thing, minimalists find happiness in their surroundings. “I’ve pretty much always been a minimalist It just came naturally to me. I cannot remember a time I was not doing minimalistic things,” Rex said.

DO STUDENTS SEE OTHERS AS MATERIALISTIC?

Photo by: Courtney Rhomberg

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breaking down a teacher’s salary Page by: Emily Bell, Mia Martinez, Danica Mileusnic and Kieran Newton

“ONE OF THE FRINGE BENEFITS IS WORKING WITH THE STUDENTS, BECAUSE IT SURE ISN’T THE MONEY.”

NONUNION MEMBERS

varies depending on their degree and experience. Even though most teachers get paid more than the minimum amount, their salaries are not that high above the poverty line. “We are at the feet of legislators. They are the ones that set the budget for the state of Indiana. They are the ones that allocate how much money K-12 will get. For starting salary for a teacher after a minimum of a four year degree, to be making [$41,100] and then paying some back in insurance is pretty close to the poverty level, so we have to continue to work to raise their salaries, ” Gandolfi said. Along with funding schools, legislators are pulled in multiple directions to pay everyone. This generates a dilemma making it difficult to keep pay up for teachers. “If you compare what someone with a Master’s or a Doctorate has in other fields to what we make, we are severely underpaid. People, however, do not go into teaching for the pay,” Mr. Ronald Fredrick, English, said. Even though the teacher’s salary is low, Mr. Fredrick is thankful for his pay. “One of the fringe benefits is working with the students because it sure isn’t the money. If you’ve been poor, if you didn’t know if you had enough money to buy food for that day, if you didn’t know at the end of the month whether or not you’d have enough money to pay your rent and you’d find yourself out in the street as a result of that, this is a

good salary. I don’t knock it,” Mr. Fredrick said. Custodians and paraprofessionals are paid differently than teachers, because of their different work responsibilities. “Aids and custodians are each paid an hourly rate, so we don’t know exactly how much they are gonna get paid for the entire 12 month period because they may have worked six hours a day and six and half hours that day. Your aids annually only work nine months and they are not working “I joined [because] the union in the summer so they don’t get paid for the will back you if there’s ever an incident in your classroom and will summer. Custodians do work year round, provide you with their lawyer that in fact they do a lot of work in the summer is trained and particular to schools because they do a lot of deep cleaning in the and the issues that come up. I like building, so they’re getting paid throughout the safety aspect [and] the fact that the union is there to help argue for the summer, but for actual time. Teachers [teachers] because if your union are considered certified staff and everyone membership is too low, the school else is classified. The classified staff we have does not have to recognize the a base salary for each, or base rate, we have union and therefore [the school] can make decisions unilaterally,” a starting rate for each of those groups, but a Ms. Julie Shupryt, Science, starting rate for a custodian is a different rate said. than starting food service person, which is different than a starting bus driver,” Mr. Rob James, Director of Business Services, said. Along with working a standard position, employees can take on an extra position as well, such as coaching a team or sponsoring “When you are a union member, a club, that allows them to earn a higher you pay union dues. I am not salary. an anti-union person in general. “[The extra pay is a] set additional amount Out of your union dues, the of money that they get per the agreement we largest percentage of the money towards the [National Education have with the teacher’s union,” Mr. James Association] (NEA) and a small said. percentage goes to your local Employees pay can also be compared to union. They won’t let you separate other school districts. As a result, salaries the money. I don’t want my money going towards the NEA and some can be modified accordingly. of the issues they support. I would “We do survey other districts when we like to pay the local union only,” feel that there’s money and say, ‘Hey we an anonymous teacher said. need to get to this level.’ Of course, money is always a factor of what we can afford, so I think on the classified staff we feel that we’re competitive, but we’re not complacent in that we’re always looking to see where we match up. On the teacher side, we’re always trying to allocate more dollars to the teaching staff. This comes in the sense of raising our minimum salary whenever possible in order to stay competitive with our neighbors.” Mr. James said. The pay system is currently based on merit-based pay. This means that certified staff members must receive a

UNION MEMBERS

eachers and other staff members are some student’s solace and role models. Students spend 180 days at school alongside their teachers, but have students ever thought how they actually are paid? “Teachers have an opportunity to get paid over 24 pays, which would pay them the entire school year, or 20 pays which would pay them just for the time that they are teaching. They are always paid on the fifth and the twentieth of every month, unless the fifth or the twentieth falls on a weekend. Then they are paid on the last business day,” Mr. Al Gandolfi, Assistant Superintendent, said. A teacher’s salary starts at a minimum amount, then

continued on page 28

Photoby:DanicaMileusnic

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$38,000 - $72,001

MUNSTER SCHOOL CORPORATION 2016-2017 school year

$38,500 - $69,360

GRIFFITH SCHOOL CORPORATION 2017-2018 school year

continued from page 27 certain rating to earn a raise. “People always make [the salary] sound like it’s horrible. I mean it’s not great compared to other states. I’m okay with it. It’s lower wage. You are never going to be wealthy as a teacher. With me and my wife both working, one of us could never stay at home and just be a stay-at-home parent. That would never work, we both have to work to raise our kids,” Mr. Joshua Clark, Social Studies, said. Some teachers decide to have a membership within the teachers union. The Indiana State Teachers Association (ISTA) states their goal on their website is to sustain quality education, improve students’educational opportunities and advance the professional status of educators. “The union is basically a group of teachers, just like

“WE ARE AT THE FEET OF LEGISLATORS. THEY ARE THE ONES THAT SET THE BUDGET FOR THE STATE OF INDIANA.” any other union. We pay dues, and we have have a membership with the NEA [National Education Association], the ISTA and our local chapter. The job of the union is to basically work for our worker’s rights, such as hours, wages, time off and how many days we’re working,” Ms. Julie Shupryt, Science, said. For every payroll, Mr. James signs a check for $1.8 million dollars. This consists of both certified (teachers) and classified staff (all other employees) paychecks. “I believe that it is always our goal to continue to work to improve and increase not only starting salaries, but salaries for all teachers across the board. This comes in the sense of raising our minimum salary whenever possible in order to stay competitive with our neighbors,” Mr. Gandolfi said.

$40,500 - $72,282

MERRILLVILLE SCHOOL CORPORATION 2017-2018 school year

$42,000 - $76,153

lake county school corporation teacher pay range

CROWN POINT SCHOOL CORPORATION 2015-2017 school years

$41,100 - $80,848

LAKE CENTRAL SCHOOL CORPORATION

2017-2018 school years

why it matters Editorial By: Karisa Candreva and Danica Mileusnic

hether it’s the sheer drive of a teacher wanting to educate students or the passion a teacher has for a subject, how much a teacher is paid is one of the main factors of educational institutions. If some teachers were to receive more pay, they could possibly be more energetic and present in a place of learning. Those who pass out premade worksheets and lecture notes from a powerpoint found online are not the teachers students will remember. It is educators who engage their students in the subject using real world experiences and classroom interactions that make the difference in a student’s life. If teachers are paid more, they will be more willing to spend money out of their own pocket for their classroom materials. In order for teachers to get money to pay for student projects or extra classroom

activities, they must apply for a grant. This adds an inconvenient step in the process of getting materials that enhance student learning. Having to go through this process may be frustrating to some teachers, which could result in projects and activities being abandoned. Some student’s labs, activities and trips and more are funded through these grants. Without these first hand opportunities, it may hinder students’ interaction with learning. Although these activities are beneficial to the student body, materials for these projects are difficult to obtain on a teacher’s salary. Some teachers may be forced to pick and choose activities that would be more beneficial to what they instruct. What motivates teachers to pursue the path of teaching is not the money, but the love of educating the next generation of politicians, doctors, lawyers and certainly, teachers.

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AROUND THE REGION

“but there’s nothing to do in the region”

GETCONNECTED

Page by: Jared Carroll, Yousef Nammari and Maisie Westerfield

MATTHEW FUNDICH (11)

Page by: Jared Caroll, Kristen Mirabelli, Yousef Nammari and Maisie Westerfield

“#MyProcrastinationIs spending more time trying to connect to the wifi than doing my work.” Twitter: @mattfundich

#MyProcrastinationIs

MASON CRAWFORD (12)

LINDSEY BUCHLER (12)

“#MyProcrastinationIs thinking how my life is slowly but surely spiraling into the void.” Twitter: @MCrawfish

“#MyProcrastinationIs procrastinating on doing late work that’s only late because I procrastinated on doing it in the first place.” Twitter: @landseyb

HANNAH SOLON (10) STEFANIE ANGUS (10) “#MyProcrastinationIs doing duolingo at 7:12 when it’s due at 7:00.” Twitter: @stefanie angus

NOV.

1. Midwest Training and Ice Center holds open skating every day of the week. Admission is $10. Photo by: Maisie Westerfield 2. Prairie West Park in Saint John allows organizations to decorate trees during the holiday season. The trees can be found in the park during December. Photo submitted by: Yousef Nammari 3. The varsity boys basketball team huddles before a game. Both girls and boys varsity seasons began in November. Photo by: Justin Andrews

UPCOMING EVENTS

DEC.

NOV. 23: Thanksgiving DEC. 2: Hammond Holiday Parade DEC. 12: Hanukkah begins DEC. 21: First day of winter DEC. 25: Christmas DEC. 26: Kwanzaa begins DEC. 31: Family Friendly New Year’s Eve at Deep River Waterpark

DEC.

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DEEP RIVER SKATING Ice skating at Deep River Waterpark starts Nov. 24 through Feb. 25, weather permitting. Enjoy a 14,500 square foot ice plaza, food and beverage locations and heated indoor bathrooms. Skate sharpening is available, depending on staff.

JACOB BAILEY (11)

“#MyProcrastinationIs Choosing to sleep instead of doing my Latin. Sorry Mrs. Clark!” Twitter: @JakeabaileyJb

MADELINE BAILEY (10)

HOLIDAY MUSIC The annual Holiday Pops concert takes place on Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Star Plaza Theatre. The show features the Symphony Chorus, Hobart String Orchestra and Crown Point High School Chorale. Pre-order tickets for this South Shore tradition today.

“#MyProcrastinationIs telling myself ‘I’ll just get it done in PTE.’” Twitter: @mfb918

CHRISTY THAM (10) “#MyProcrastinationIs thinking to myself that I have enough time to do all my homework and projects but then I forget about them.” Twitter: @christy_tham

Admission: $10 to $69 INDIANA BALLET The Indiana Ballet Theatre, a non-profit organization that features both professional dancers and students in their shows, will be performing “The Nutcracker” at the Star Plaza Theatre. Shows dates include Dec. 13 and 14 at 10:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

PAIGE VARADY (10) “#MyProcrastinationIs taking an hour to find that jam you want to listen to instead of doing late work.” Twitter: @jr_mcnuggs

IAN BLAZE (12)

“#MyProcrastinationIs submitting an essay to turnitin at 11:58.” Twitter: @BlazeIan

Admission: $25 ISSUE 2 / GET CONNECTED / 31

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MARY CONELLY (11) “#MyProcrastinationIs staying up till midnight watching Christmas movies instead of doing homework.” Twitter: @maryconellyy

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“#MyProcrastinationIs procrastinating my homework so much I procrastinate my procrastination and end up cleaning my whole house.” Twitter: @hannahgsolon

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