4 Getting down to business F E B . 25, 2022
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munster high school crier
As State rapidly approaches, DECA prepares for in-person competition
LAUREN HOOGEVEEN
“I am also hoping Munster performs well as a team and we have members page editor qualify for the International Career alking past members perfect- Development Conference.” Gathering in a group of people in ing their presentations, Amelia Konstantinopoulos, senior and club the same event, Ethan Park, senior president, looks forward to DECA’s and finance officer, helps his peers by demonstrating how the event roleupcoming State competition play works. Although his March event, Marketing Commu6-8 in Leadership team: nications, is a solo event, he Indiafinds it helpful to watch othnapolis. Amelia Konstantinopoulos ers perform their role-plays P r a c t i c - Alison Lee and give feedback. ing twice Basilia Kostopanagiotou “DECA has helped me a week Anagha Kodukula learn skills with coml e a d Ethan Park ing up to State, Jonathan Bryson-Harvey Types of Competitions: members Rebecca Franco focus on Sana Khan Roleplay different Olivia Balbo elements business roleplay of busitest ness and how to deal with challenges that correspond with each business Written cluster. research a business “As a state officer, I am excited to have a different experience and help issue lead the state conference with the felpresent an essay low officers this year,” Amelia said.
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Speech prepares to compete at Sectionals tomorrow
munication, creativity and critical thinking,” Ethan said. “I feel like it’s a very social club and you can learn a wide variety of things.” Spending practice researching for their presentations, seniors Anushka Majety and Mallika Keralavarma have both participated in the Hospitality Services event all four years they have been a part of DECA. Qualifying for Internationals twice, they usually research current trends in hotel and
hospitality to implement into their role-plays. “I am most looking forward to walking around Indianapolis and visiting the mall with my DECA partner and friends. Two years ago, an entertainment session with a hypnotist was held so I am also looking forward to seeing that again,” Mallika said. “My partner and I have qualified for Internationals the past two years so I hope to do the same this year.”
Debate concludes season, places 10th at State
SOFIA SANCHEZ page editor
Cracking down on practices. Perfecting facial expressions. Listening to critique from peers. Whether utilizing any of these techniques, Speech knows all too well that preparing for State is never an easy task. Sectionals, taking place tomorrow, will determine if students compete at State March 11-12. “(Being able to hold) State in-person will be fun for sure, you meet a lot of awesome kids and those who are dedicated to speech you’ll be able to see at future tournaments,” Grace Harris, sophomore, said. “It’s significantly better than sitting in your basement alone waiting for breaks. We usually play games and just talk and relax, it makes for a really good bond with the team.” The shift from online to in-person competitions marks a welcome, yet challenging change for Speech. On March 5, Speech will head to Crown Point High School to compete at Districts.
PHOTO BY KRISTEN BAURAIN
A FOCUSED STATE Working together, seniors Ava Jureczko, Basilia Kostopanagiotou, Bailee DeJarlais, Amelia Konstantinopoulos and Mr. Ryan Popa, business teacher, begin a DECA practice in preparation for State next week. “You get to meet so many people across Indiana,” Basilia said. “Getting to compete at the next level is such a great experience.”
PHOTO BY ANNA EVILSIZOR
MAKING A DIFFERENCE Performing in the original oratory category, Gabriela Ruiz, junior, explains beauty standards on social media. “I’ve been on TikTok a lot and see filter always being used and the comments would always complain about them,” Gabriela said. “I really wanted to explore that a little bit more.”
“I think the current team is one of the most connected teams we’ve had in Speech and Debate,” Charlie Mason, senior and president of Speech, said. “There hasn’t been much that we can’t get through together. We all put our heads down (and) do the work. We’re coming to win State.”
After weeks of preparation, Debate placed 10th overall at State Jan. 28-29. Several students advanced, including Keira Hawk, senior, and juniors Ayush Arora, Reena Alsakaji, Hiba Fatima and Anagha Kodukula. For Keira, who semi-finaled in Congressional Debate, the self doubt that comes with competing proved to be a tough obstacle. “A lot of the times you get in your own head and think, ‘What if I didn’t break?’ Reassuring yourself and remaining calm is pretty hard,” Keira said. “So I was very satisfied and happy that I was able to accomplish a part of my goal.” With all the adjustments this season, the team’s hard work will pay off at Nationals. Keira, Ayush and Suvali Giridaran, freshman, qualified at Districts Feb. 12 to compete at Nationals June 13-17 in Louisville, Kentucky. “I had been (adapting to the in-person environment) throughout the season, but in the final round at State, we debated in a sizeable lecture hall,” Ayush said. “Knowing that this was the final round, in addition to being in the large hall, made it harder to focus and really got my nerves up. My performance helped me recover my confidence.”
PHOTO BY ANNA EVILSIZOR
WORKING IT OUT Discussing a piece, Daniel Eriks, junior, examines feeback with Ayush Arora, junior, on a speech for a past competition.
Making headway: Science Olympiad to take on Regionals LEXI PEREZ
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The exhilarating feeling of the 50 minutes time block on tests during competitions. It is about being strategic by getting the most points with the time and knowledge. This is something that many members of Science Olympiad look forward to when competing.
“It is always kind of exhilarating to rush through and do the best you can in that short 50 minute time block,” Simon Nirenberg, sophomore, said. Last Saturday, the teams went to Michigan for an overnight tournament, a higher caliber competition with a variety of teams and great quality tests, according to Iris Gong, senior. The
tournament helped to prepare them for their upcoming Regional competition tomorrow. “I think we’re looking forward to competitions in the future where we get this harder test where we can figure out okay, like, ‘What do I need to learn? What do I already know?”’ Iris said.
PHOTO BY ANNA EVILSIZOR
TAKING A CHANCE Aiming and measuring the wheel of rotation before starting his next test run, Thomas Ashcraft, junior, participates in the gravity vehicle event at Science Olympiad.
