MHS Crier 5 9 14 by Munster High School Crier

munster high school Vol. 48 / Senior Edition / May 9, 2014 / Munster High School 8808 Columbia Ave, Munster IN 46321

crier photos by Gabrielle Dore, Lauren Koultourides, Alisa Muñoz

HERE’S to Meena Kandallu Lifestyles Editor

QUEEN BEE (left) The happiest moment of her high school experience occurred when she was crowned Prom queen, according to Elaina Etter, senior. “I think it’s just something that so many girls dream of that I never really thought that would me,” Elaina said. FEELING THE BURN (top) Seniors Johnny Pitsas, Casey Gouwens, Alex Del Rio and Brian King participated in the annual game of tug of war during the Homecoming Pep Rally. “All of us guys were talking trash to the teachers, saying that we would win, but we ended up losing and the teachers talked trash to us,” Johnny said. CLASS CELEBRATION (bottom) Last semester, Morgan Kaptur and Zaria Suggs, seniors, celebrates their last day of their World Literature class. “It was really sad because this was the first class we were really close in, but it was a lot of fun goofing off and celebrating the last day,” Mor-

With graduation around the corner, seniors reflect on final year of high school

GROWING UP

hrough the change to a seven period day, the class of 2014 prevailed. Through a principal switch, the class of 2014 prevailed. Through the tragic passing of two Munster students, the class of 2014 prevailed. After facing the trials and tribulations of not only senior year, but also four years of high school together, they now prepare to graduate. “There was a lot of change this year, and I think we handled it well,” Student Government President Eashan Kumar, senior, said. “The way we came together through it all, it kind of captures the class of 2014.” This unity among seniors serves as more than just a representation of the senior class. It also serves as a representation of a larger, school-wide goal, according to Niko Ingoglia, senior. “Being a senior, we’re the kids that people look up to, and now we’re being watched,” Niko said. “It’s different knowing that we as seniors are expected to set an example, and I think we’ve done our best bringing everyone

together.” school year, Niko has bittersweet feelWith six Munster teams including ings regarding his upcoming graduaDECA, Varsity Dance, Science Olympi- tion. ad, Speech, Robotics and TEAMS (for“Of course I want to graduate, but merly known as JETS), winning State I’ve grown very close to a lot of stutitles in the month of March alone, Mr. dents and teachers, and I’ve made so Mike Wells, principal, sees the effects many great friends,” Niko said. “It’s of students working together for a difficult to know that a lot of these peocommon goal. ple are going to different colleges and “We have a talented group of kids— are going to do different things with there’s no doubt about it, and the real- their lives, and I may never see them ly great thing is that again.” they know they all While Mr. Wells succeeded togethunderstands that They should know that no matter er,” Mr. Wells said. students each where they go, there are always The newly imhave their own people who are pulling for them plemented Turncareer and college who are on their side.” about spirit week, plans, h e b e-Mr. Mike Wells, principal which encouraged lieves that this students to wear a togetherness credifferent color each ated by the senior day of the week to promote aware- class proves strong enough to carry on ness for various illnesses, served as beyond high school into the students’ another method of allowing seniors to futures. join together. “Starting a new chapter in your life is “The students all fought for same a daunting event, but students should cause,” Mr. Wells, said. “It really realize that they have a support sysbrought unity within the school.” tem that has gotten them this far,” Mr. After seeing the entire senior class Wells said. “They should know that no exhibit such unity throughout the matter where they go, there are always

“

people who are pulling for them, who are on their side.” Although the senior class may eventually drift apart, the sense of community that the seniors created will remain with them throughout their lives according to Nathalie Kauz, senior. “Once you are part of such a great community, it’s something that will always be with you, Nathalie said. “People might lose touch, but you will always be able to create your own community. Being part of one is just such an awesome experience and I don’t think any of us will ever let that go.” After the many successes and hardships the seniors have experienced together, Eashan feels confident in their ability to succeed in the future. “If there was one word I could use to describe the senior class, I would have to say memorable. I think we truly left our mark on Munster High School because we have a really talented class, and I think as a whole, we’re really well rounded,” Eashan said. “I see the seniors as an eclectic and talented group of individuals who grew together, and I know they’ll be successful in anything they aspire to be.”

SENIOR Crier / May 9 , 2014

FROM

JUNIORS TO FRESHMEN Three junior students will graduate along with the senior class; they consider the pros and cons about leaving early Jordan Cockrum Managing Editor When putting together her junior year schedule, junior Laurel Curran’s guidance counselor Mr. Peter Fatouros realized that she had enough credits to graduate an entire year early. “If you’re given the opportunity to graduate early, you should take it,” Laurel said. In order to graduate this year, a student must possess a minimum of 40 credits in various academic areas. Although it typically takes students four years of high school to achieve, three juniors are looking to graduate this June. Juniors Jenna Zubik, Taniesha Noble and Laurel join this year’s graduating class after acquiring all their credits. “My sister’s friend decided to graduate early, and I realized I could do it too,” Taniesha said. “And that’s what I decided to do.” In 2011, former Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels introduced a scholarship for students who graduated at the end of their junior year. The Mitch Daniels Early Graduation Scholarship awards $4,000 allows students to apply to any unpaid tuition at their high school, then to any Student Financial Aid eligible Indiana college. Mitch Daniels’ initiative lead to the school’s first early graduate during Ms. Vail’s career, Tiffany Troumouliaris, ’13. “This year is the first group of kids graduating a whole year early,” Ms. Sharon Vail, guidance counselor, said. Jenna and Taniesha took online courses over the summer to reach diploma requirements. The difficulty in online classes lies in staying on track, according to Jenna. “It was an easy class,” Jenna said, “but just a pain to keep up with.” While graduating early puts stress on students,

photo by Casey Gouwens

AHEAD OF THE CURVE During her fourth hour World Literature class, Laurel Curran (center), junior, sits between seniors Justin Bobos (left) and Alex Del Rio (right). Laurel will graduate along with the senior class this year and must fulfill all the junior and senior requirements to do so. “It’s a lot of pressure,” Laurel said. “Right

now I’m preparing for college, turning in papers and reports for all my classes, but it’s definitely worth it. There’s a point where you grow out of high school and for me it just happened early then others. Senior year is about being comfortable with your academic abilities and pushing yourself. It’s a process, but it’s fun.”

Jenna finds it worth the struggle. to help and make a change in their life.” “[My favorite part about graduating early is] My Jenna wants to pursues counseling and help suifamily’s reaction when I told them that I am [grad- cidal individuals. uating early]; they are so proud of me,” Jenna said. “Over the summer my best friend committed suiHer interest in graduating a year early developed cide and from that moment I knew I wanted to help from hearing of students at Griffith High School people that are at that horrible point in life, since I working towards it. could not help him,” Jenna “My counselor said it was Early Graduation said. going to be hard, but not im- Pros and cons of graduating early exist Taniesha remains undepossible,” Jenna said. “So, I cided on her major; howCONS took it as a challenge. I fig- PROS ever, she looks forward to ured, ‘why not start college a • joining in a sorority. • 16 or 17-year-olds Accelerated learners year early?’ I’ve always been “It seems fun,” Taniesha may not be as mature could move on to as 18-year-olds harder education eager to start my life after said. “The housing is less high school.” expensive and I like the Students could miss If attending an Indiana • Laurel will attend Purdue • idea of sisterhood forever.” out on senior year and college, students could University in West LafayAlthough not specifically spending the last year earn a scholarship with their friends ette after graduation. Laurel this year’s graduates, Miss source: Ms. Sharon Vail, guidance counselor plans to study horticulture Vail feels graduating early and agribusiness. may be a result of this gen“You could solve so many problems if people eration’s desire to rush everything. knew how to grow their own food,” Laurel said. “Sometimes, I think we are in too much a hurry After high school, Jenna will attend Purdue Uni- nowadays,” Ms. Vail said. “Slow down. Enjoy the exversity Calumet. She has not decided her major yet, perience, enjoy your friends.” but takes an interest in counseling or doing someHowever, graduating an entire year early stands thing to help those who are disabled. as impressive, according to Ms. Vail. “I’ve always wanted to help people,” Jenna said. “It’s one thing to graduate a semester early,” Ms. “I love giving my friends and family advice. I also Vail said. “It’s another thing to graduate at the end of love being around people who are disabled. I want their junior year.”

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SPEAKOUT Crier / May 9, 2014

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE When I first sat down to write this article, I didn’t know exactly what I would say about the topic of graduation. What would I say to the graduating class of 2014 in a Crier article? I didn’t have an immediate answer. After some awkMrs. Tammy Daugherty ward doodling, tapping English teacher my fingers lightly on my keyboard and chewing several wads of gum, I figured I would draw from my own experiences. I am an expert in that. Despite my life-long love of learning, I didn’t love high school. I’m not saying that every day was miserable, but that time in my life wasn’t magical, either. It was a time of both joys and angst, of laughs and tears. There were the happy memories of hanging out with friends, playing sports and my tenor saxophone and the special occasions like Homecoming and Prom. But, there were also moments of doubt, insecurities about relationships and fears about the future. At 17, I graduated and left Middle-of-Nowhere, Iowa and headed straight to college that following autumn. I didn’t know what to expect. I was both excited and afraid to be on my own for the first time; I wanted to be independent, but feared failure. The years following high school did not disappoint, for they opened so many opportunities for growth and renewal. Every experience, positive or negative, shaped me into the adult I am today. Even now, I

GUEST COLUMNIST

am constantly recreating myself—as wife, teacher and pupil of life. And, each of you seniors reading this now stands at the threshold where I once stood, where your parents once stood, where your youth will stay but you will cross over into adulthood. What is on the outside of that door? You are all entering an adult world where you will question your beliefs and at times doubt your sanity. What’s more, your generation will face unprecedented daunting tasks as you become adults: How will you save the environment? How will you abolish poverty? How will you fight for justice? Sometimes thinking about the adult world will make you want to crawl back under the security blanket of childhood, but, as King Henry proclaimed in William Shakespeare’s King Henry the Sixth, “Let me embrace thee, sour adversity, for wise men say it is the wisest course” (III.i). Why would anyone embrace “sour adversity”? After all, adversity only brings suffering, right? Wrong. There is a whole world full of ugliness and beauty for you to explore. It has been waiting for you your whole life. Therefore, graduation is not a time to say good-bye to everything you know; rather, it is a time to see everything you know through different eyes. Regardless of what you may have heard about how scary the “real world” may be, embrace this new phase of your life: Welcome the laughs but withstand the tears. And, most importantly, realize that high school and college do not end your schooling. The struggles and triumphs that you will experience in your adult life will be the greatest teacher you’ve ever had. So, seniors, enjoy these last days of ruling Munster High School and cheerfully greet that other world awaiting you.

Reflecting on the past

As the year comes to an end, I have been asked to give some advice about senior year and I guess high school as a whole. Hopefully my insight is worth something. First off, make sure you join several extracurricular activities. Munster has a plethora of diverse clubs for you to join ranging Eashan Kumar, senior from Chess club to Football to Speech and Debate Student Government President to Ping Pong club. Join anything that interests you because in the end, these are the kinds of memories you will remember. It’s not like any class you are forced to take that you forget after a year or two; you choose clubs that you want to be in, which makes the experiences that much more enjoyable. This brings me to my second point about attitude. Make sure you keep an open mind with everything you do. This may sound cheesy or redundant, but it makes the entire difference. If you go into something with a bad attitude,

GUEST COLUMNIST

Crier Crier, Munster High School’s official student newspaper, may be reached at 8808 Columbia Ave, Munster, IN 46321, phone 219-836-3200, Ext. 3443; Fax: 219-836-3202. Published by the Honors Newspaper Advanced Writing and Editing classes, and extra-curricular involvement. •The newspaper serves as a public forum and two-way communication for the school and community.•Crier is a source of information, entertainment, advertising and opinion for the student body, faculty, administration and community •Published material will stress objective reporting except on the editorial page where opinion writing will be featured. All published material will stress accuracy, truthfulness, integrity, honesty, responsibility, objectivity, fairness and independence. Opinions expressed in the newspaper do not necessarily reflect those of the School Town of Munster, faculty or administration.

thinking it will be awful before actually trying it, how do you expect to enjoy the activity? Your attitude is what will differentiate a great high school experience from a horrible one. Munster is a great high school: the best in the region and the sixth best in the state. Take advantage of all the opportunities Munster has. Munster has a great support system that will definitely prepare you for the future. Lastly, make sure you focus on what is important. The biggest regret many seniors have is that they did not try as much in school freshmen or sophomore year. Your GPA is cumulative, so make sure you focus on your academics and balance it with your social life. Don’t get too involved in the party scene and set goals to help you figure out what is important to you and what you want to accomplish. Prioritizing, organizing and managing your time well are all skills you will need throughout high school, and even for the rest of your life. Developing these habits early will help you immensely. Hopefully these quick tips help you in any way. The last four years at Munster were definitely the best four years of my life thus far, and I will carry what I learned at Munster for the rest of my life. High school is supposed to be enjoyable. Do not stress too much, because life just goes on anyways. Enjoy every moment; just have fun.

Letters to the Editor are welcomed, but should be limited to 250 words. All letters must be signed and should be given directly to any staff member or delivered to the Pub, N155, one week prior to publication. Letters must not contain personal attacks against an individual. Editors reserve the right to edit for length, clarity, and grammatical errors. Crier will accept letters from anyone, provided that the content pertains to school or school issues. Subscriptions cost $4 per semester or $6.50 per school year. Mailed subscriptions cost $18 per year. Ad rates and policies are available to anyone upon request. Crier is published 13 times a school year. The Staff Editor-in-Chief Cassie Eberle Managing Editor Jordan Cockrum Associate Editor Victoria Aviña Lifestyles Editor Meena Kandallu

BACKTALK

Underclassman comment on what they will miss most about the senior class “They’re all pretty mellow. I’m going to miss how chill they are.”

Rachel Bishop, sophomore

“I’m going to miss getting to learn from them and seeing what they can do for our school.”

Alex Ramirez, freshman

“I am going to miss a lot of the talent and all the diversity they brought to the school.”

Mei Brasel, freshman

“They were all pretty awesome and fun to be around. I guess I’m going to miss that most of all.”

Alyssa Amaloo, sophomore

“I’m definitely going to miss how enthusiastic they were about everything.”

Tiffany Wang, sophomore

“I’m going to miss their humor and the way they always made me laugh.”

Leo Ortiz, sophomore

Sports Editor William Hatczel News Editor Max Baker Social Media Director Alisa Muñoz Business Manager Vrusha Patel Head Photographer Gabrielle Dore Photographers Christopher Anguiano, Alex Baker, Natalia Bilek, Cesar Camacho, Chelsea Eickleberry, Casey Gouwens, Lauren Koultourides, Pam Muangmingsuk, Alisa Muñoz Cartoonist Julia Torres Adviser Sarah-Anne Lanman

FUTURE PLANS

Crier / May 9, 2014

“

ILLINOIS

ARIZONA Grand Canyon University

Bradley University

Phoenix, AZ

Caroline Beckman Elizabeth Beckman Marty O’Shaughnessy Matthew Specht Dayna Van Woert

Alexis Monthie

University of Arizona

THE FUTURE

Tucson, AZ

Brandon Tepper

IN THE BEAUTY

OF THEIR

CALIFORNIA Art Center College of Design Pasadena, CA

”

DREAMS. -Eleanor Roosevelt

After four years of high school, seniors step into their next stage of life by going to college, joining Armed Forces or going straight into workforce

Columbia Chicago Chicago, IL

BELONGS TO THOSE

WHO BELIEVE

Peoria, IL

Vince Broelmann Brandon Amaloo Alisa Muñoz

Coyne College Chicago, IL

Kevin Yurasovich

Chapman University Orange, CA

Ruben Escalante

DePaul University Chicago, IL

Judie Muhrez

University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, CA Akhilesh Mishra

Cesar Camacho Haley Moles

The Illinois Institute of Art- Chicago Chicago, IL

COLORADO

Ryann Thompson

University of Northern Colorado

Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago, IL

Greeley, CO Eric Svoboda

Elaine Zmuda

CONNECTICUT

Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts

Quinnipiac University Hamden, CT Elizabeth Kloos

FLORIDA Johnson & Wales University North Miami, FL David Wittkamp

GEORGIA Emory University

Chicago, IL Jasmin Nelson

Loyola University Chicago, IL Ansell Dafiaghor Katarina Ivanovic Eric Kalis Paulina Kawalec Kelly Russell

Milikin University Decatur, IL Cathy Lebryk

Morraine Valley Community College

Atlanta, GA Cassidy Schwartz

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For $ 29 Expires in 30 days

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DRIVERS EDUCATION !! It’s too important not to go with the BEST!!

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North Central College Naperville,IL Emily Kaniewski

Roosevelt University Chicago,IL Jazmin Nevarez

South Suburban College South Holland,IL Amber Caldwell

Saint Xavier University Chicago, IL Megan O’Brien

Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy Chicago, IL Steven Pilipow

University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago,IL Kori Gleason Elizabeth Prado

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Champaign,IL Peter Panos

INDIANA Ball State University Muncie, IN Alex Abasi Paul DeRolf Kati Kalemba Gina Rice Nick Siano

Butler University

Goshen College Goshen, IN Victoria Miller

Indiana State University Terra Haute, IN Daniel Straka

Indiana University Bloomington Bloomington, IN Emily Anderson Lia Andreatos Jack Arnold Jeremy Benedek Spencer Boerman Thomas Bolanowski Steven Caraher Ariana Chioros Ricardo Delgado Leksi Gasich Demetrios Georgalas Jyotshal Ghimire Niko Ingoglia Deeva Khatiwada Maria Karamichos Colleen Kifer Joseph Kmak Sammi Koufos Harris Kouklakis Eashan Kumar Kailee Loughlin Pam Muangmingsuk Vijay Narayan Claude Nuñez Morgan Papesh Neeta Patwari Paige Puplava Steven Rakich Calvin Sanders Tanner Seput Akash Shah Lauren Soeka Catie Swetlik Ashley Talesky Annilee Taylor Melissa Tepperman Mia Torres Courtney Zunica

Indianapolis, IN Cassandra Eberle Sarah Sharpe Sebastian Weakland

Indiana University Northwest

Calumet College of St. Joseph

Ishani Sharma Nicholas Soy Wendy Stocky Natalia Swiatko

Whiting, IN

Gary, IN

Olivia Askew Tyler Hansen

Indiana University South Bend South Bend, IN Victoria Aviña

Indiana UniversityPurdue University Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN

Kendra Brown Diamond Hill Priasha Iyer Isabella Lappo Michael McGrath Costa Papadatos

Indiana Wesleyan University Marion, IN Amelia Georgas

Ivy Tech Community College Valparaiso, IN Analiese Corey Deanna McPartlan

Ivy Tech Community College East Chicago, IN

Tayseer Abdelsalam Fernando Jimenez Paul Schmitt

Marian University Indianapolis, IN Sam Bell

Purdue University West Lafayette, IN Katy Arteaga Jessica Aviña Gina Catania Laurel Curran Alyse Dittrich Gabrielle Dore Zackary Eismin Elaina Etter Bess Fary Hannah Fischer Maritza Garcia Sydney Gunty Kyle Hansen Morgan Kaptur Flynn LeMonnier Rachel Markowicz Amanda Milojkovitch Allison Mudro

Valerie Niemiec Jill Osterhus Jessie Palma Quinton Pedrick Danijela Savic Beckey Seligman Priya Shah Sahib Singh Anna Stooksbury Samuel Toth Benjamin Wanicki Jamie Whiting Kyle Wilkinson Joe Yurek Omnya Zaman

University of Notre Dame

Purdue University Calumet

Kaitlyn Bohling Alison Frankland Joseph Gallagher Rebecca Karnezis

Hammond, IN Samantha Bensema James Bieniak Adis Bradaric Ryan Brickman Jessica Burek Alexis Carrizales Ian Clark Alex Coccia Alexander Courtney Tatiana Cruz Demetri Delis Evan Fus Shawn Gish Robert Heitz John Kapitan Kyle Kristoff Kasey Kulesa Skylar Lolkema Amy McCullough Ben Mecyssine Taylor Mihalic Lauren Mintz Michelle Prevatte Christopher Rhodes Renee Rumas Destiny Sabo Jennifer Scherzinger Alec Skalka Janel Solis Kimberly Szymkowski Emma Witt Brandon Yager

2008 45th Street Porte De L’eau Plaza Highland, In 46322

Evansville, IN Shannon Farrell Amanda Martin

Valparaiso University Valparaiso, IN

Vincennes University Vincennes, IN Robyn Flanagan-Seels

Wabash College Crawfordsville, IN Cody Grzybowski

Indianapolis, IN Carly Sorensen

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Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Emily McNicholas Matthew Szala

Michigan Technlogical University Houghton, MI

Kalamazoo, MI Andrea Rodriguez

St. Louis, MO

Waco, TX

VIRGINIA Sweet Briar College Sweet Briar, VA Nicole Mammano

WISCONSIN University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI Belinda Oberman

Columbia University New York, NY

Army Casey Gouwens

PENNSYLVANIA

Marines

Swarthmore College

Zackary Eisman Brian King Arturo Ortiz

Swarthmore, PA Ashley Hwang

Antonio Delgado

Baylor University

Provo, UT Mary Strong

MASSACHUSETTS

Owosso, MI

TEXAS

Western Michigan University

Sidarth Singh

Taylor Michalski

Spartanburg, SC Katie Long

Brigham Young University

NEW YORK

Chestnut Hill, MA

Converse College

Hanhuang Yao

Kentucky Wesleyan College

Boston College

SOUTH CAROLINA

UTAH

Ann Arbor, MI

Taylor Katalinic

Morgan Switalla

Mary Beth Blocher

University of Michigan

Laine Sroge

Owensboro, KY

Pittsburgh, PA

Alyssa Wojcik

Saint Louis University

Louisville, KY

University of Pittsburgh

Matthew Cappo

Bellarmine University

Baker College

University of Indianapolis

Heather Hemingway

MISSOURI

Terre Haute, IN Emily Bochnowski Alissa Kowalski

Allendale Charter Township, MI

KENTUCKY

MICHIGAN

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Notre Dame, IN

Saam Mojtahed

Grand Valley State University

University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA Colin Richter Rathnam Venkat

Navy Jeffrey Wieser

Air Force James Perino Eliott Maul Tyler Van Wieren

Work force Uttam Chander Brittany Nowak Timothy Wieser

6 FOLLOWING DIFFERENT PATHS... SENIOR

Crier / May 9, 2014

Students reveal plans after graduation, as well as the reasons, challenges for going to college, work, armed forces

...to college Vrusha Patel Business Manager With 15 days of school left, Jasmin Nelson, senior, looks forward to graduating. She plans on attending the Le Cordon Bleu College for the culinary arts program. She choose Cordon Bleu for the extensive course work and the six month internship offered before graduating. “I’ve known since I was younger but I had doubts whether or not I was going to choose the Navy or the culinary arts,” Jasmin said. Jasmin chose to enter into the culinary industry due to the fact that it allows her to please people and the ability to cook with the same passion as her grandmother. “I rather do something I love to do than be forced to learn something I’m going to hate when I’m older,” Jasmin said. Pursuing her dream of screen writing, Judie Muhrez, senior, will attend Chapman University in Evanston, IL, specifically the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. While Judie had her hearts set on Northwestern University, the rejection forced her to find another dream college

“It’s very focused on what I want to do. It’s extremely specialized in film and a very community based school and it has a lot of opportunities to branch out,” Judie said. Judie found the small graduating class attractive, as well as the fact that Chapman has screenwriting as a major, a career she plans to go into. “I want the classical college life experience, and I want to have a good time,” Judie said. “It will give me a lot of opportunities to grow and gain experience so when I graduated college, I will be ready for the real world.” Akhilesh Mishra, senior, will attend University of California, Berkeley for Mechanical Engineering. “It’s in California and the weather is always perfect. It has one of the best Engineering programs in the country,” Akhilesh said. “I have visited the college during the summer and fall because my cousin went there and the environment is perfect for me.” Akhilesh plans on going into Investment Banking, however, he is following his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps in majoring in Mechanical Engineering. “Everyone is always happy there because everyone is always thinking and smiling, and everyone there is really intellectual and being surrounded by people who are smarter than me,” Akhilesh said.

...to work William Hatczel Sports Editor

photo by Pam Muangmingsuk

HANDS ON Taking a welding class at the Hammond Career Center has helped influence Tim Wieser, senior, in his decision to go into the steel industry. “I started taking a welding class at the Career Center last year,” Tim said. “They offered it so I thought it would be a cool thing to do.”

...to Armed Forces William Hatczel Sports Editor Not all seniors look to attend college after high school, some look to join one of the branches of the Armed Forces. Eliott Maul, senior, looks forward to joining the Air Force after graduating. He wants to work as an electrical engineer, who monitors the aircraft’s electrical and environmental systems on the KC-135R, fueling plane and other types of planes. “I am basically the electrical guy that works on the plane,” Eliott said. “If there is a shortage in the wire I have the fun job of searching the whole plane to find it.” The guarantee of having a job and getting paid proved another reason to join the military. The Air Force can also pay for his college education after his service. “Jobs are hard to get so at least I will have one and get paid,” Eliott said. “The training applies to the real world and they will also pay for college. I would like to become a mechanical engineer one day so it (Air Force training) will give me choices now. I can now double major because of the electrical engineering already being known to me while they pay for the mechanical one.”

After graduation, many seniors prepare to embark on their college careers; however, some seniors look forward to going straight into the workforce. Tim Wieser, senior, plans to work right away at ArcelorMittal, a steel and mining company. Tim looks forward to working with his hands to make metal that helps construct buildings. “I just like to work with my hands,” Tim said. “I will be working with coils, rods and beams that will be used to build buildings.” Tim believes that college will not work for him and wants to join a field in need of more workers. “I knew I was not going to go to college, college is not for me,” Tim said. “I knew I wanted to do this since I was little back when I started getting my hands dirty. We need

Arturo Ortiz, senior, looks to continue his family’s military tradition after graduation. Arturo wants to join the Marines. “I have wanted to join the Marines since I was little,” Arturo said. “My uncle was a marine and I have a lot of family members that have been in the military including my brother.” Arturo hopes the Marines will help prepare him for a career in Law Enforcement. Serving in the Marines and studying Law Enforcement will aid him in becoming a Military Police. “I eventually want to be in the Military Police,” Arturo said. “I want to get into Law Enforcement like the FBI academy in Quantico, VA.” Along with preparing for his future, Arturo wants to join the Marines because of the challenges he must overcome. “I want to challenge myself,” Arturo said. “I like the Marines because of the brotherhood and bonds I will form. Other branches have it too, but after talking to my uncle and other people, their (Marines) brotherhood is the strongest.” Arturo has no problem with fighting if a conflict should occur during his time of service for the Marines. “If I was called to go and fight I would,” Arturo said. “People think I am crazy, but I will go down fighting for something.”

photo by Chris Anguiano

FULL STORY Performing in “Fiddler on the Roof,” Judie Muhrez, senior, enjoys how theater helps her with screen writing. “By performing in speech and theater, I learned how to tell a story and screen writing allows me to do that,” Judy said.

people in this industry because people are retiring now.” Tim looks to do more than weld while working at ArcelorMittal, such as working as a mechanic. “I will become a mechanic and weld things,” Tim said. “I will help fix machines and make sure the quality of the steel will help the process go smoother for other workers.” Ryan Brickman, senior, plans to work in his family’s construction business. He hopes to learn how to build houses with his family and potentially move up to a larger company one day. “I am interested in building homes and the electrical work of it,” Ryan said. “I will work with my family and hopefully get into a larger firm. I will go to college if I need to learn more.” Ryan’s love for building started when he was little. Ryan enjoyed playing with LEGOs and using his mind to think of creative things to build with them. “I used to play with LEGOs and build houses,” Ryan said. “To build, you have to be creative and be hands on. I would rather build it myself instead of watching.”

photo by Alisa Muñoz

PLAYING WITH WIRES In Mrs. Pat Premetz’s 4th hour Pre-calculus class, Eliott Maul, senior, always caught on to math well. He does not know if the class he plans on taking for becoming an electrical engineering in the Air Force will cover math. However, he believes that taking Pre-calculus, along with his other math classes will still help him. “I really like working with electronics,” Eliott said. “I handle anything that involves electrical wiring. It’s something I enjoy doing.”

TEACHER SUPERLATIVES Crier / May 9, 2014

TEACHING VALUES

Students voted Mr. Michael Gordon, social studies teacher and Mrs. Michelle Duffy, English teacher, most inspirational teachers Mrs. Michelle Duffy Max Baker News Editor After discovering she had won Most Inspirational Female Teacher, Mrs. Michelle Duffy, English teacher, experienced a sudden flood of emotion and struggled to keep her tears of joy in check at the news. “It’s awesome and such a rewarding compliment,” Mrs. Duffy said. “My kids mean the world to me, and the fact they see me in such a positive light is so meaningful.” Mrs. Duffy claims she tries to make her students feel at home in her classroom and have a place to go. “I want them (the students) to be as open and honest as they want to in here,” Mrs. Duffy said. While Mrs. Duffy continues to inspire her students, she draws her own brand of inspiration from her past teachers. “I had several teachers who inspired me,” Mrs. Duffy said. “I try to echo what they did in class, because what they did was real and relatable. The most important part about them was that they treated me as a human and not a teenage kid. I don’t remember their lessons. I remember them as people.” Teachers such as Mrs. Tammy Daugherty, English teacher and the retired Mr. David Russell, former English teacher, also inspired Mrs. Duffy. “They’ve both taught me to be more diligent and see kids for who they really are,” Mrs. Duffy said. Mrs. Duffy has taught for 11 years, nine of them at Munster. During this time she has grown as a teacher and learned from past experiences. “I know my weaknesses and I do my best to strengthen them,” Mrs. Duffy said. “When I made a mistake in the beginning, I was embarrassed, but now I use them as learning opportunities. I learn and apologize.” Despite earning this superlative, Mrs. Duffy will not change her current teaching style. “If I do something different, then it changes

what I want to do,” Mrs. Duffy said. “I’m no different outside the classroom and I wouldn’t want to change that about myself.”

Mr. Michael Gordon Victoria Avina Associate Editor Having both of his parents, along with most of his family members choosing teaching careers, Mr. Michael Gordon, social studies teacher, wanted to stay away from the profession. “I went to school with the one goal to not become a teacher,” Mr. Gordon said. “But, after studying political science and then taking some education classes, I found that you can create a world within the confines of your classroom that few other professions permit.” Mr. Gordon teaches We the People, Government and Advanced Placement Government. He enjoys how government plays a role in all of his classes and in students’ lives. “At the core of what public schools do, we prepare students to live in our economy and our polity,” Mr. Gordon said. “Preparing students to live in our economy is all about self-interest, but to live in our polity requires an awareness of a greater common good.” Neeta Patwari, senior, also took We the People. She enjoys how involved and passionate he acts during his lectures. “Mr. Gordon wants you to care about being a citizen and he expects you to take an active interest in what’s outside of the classroom, and that’s kind of inspirational to have a teacher that consistently expects more from a student,” Neeta said. “It’s kind of refreshing having a teacher who’s very interested in his subject.” Josh Shalen, senior, finds inspiration in Mr. Gordon’s effort in making sure students know all of the material. “He’s one of the most genuine people that you will ever meet,” Josh said. “He really cares about how he influences his students and what they take away from his class.”

photos by Alisa Muñoz

ALL SMILES (above) Kicking back in his chair, Mr. Michael Gordon, social studies teacher, talks to his students in order to maintain a friendly relationship with them. “We spend a lot of time together so relationships matter,” Mr. Gordon said. MAKING THE GRADE (below)After treating her students with respect and casting a good example, Mrs. Michelle Duffy, English teacher, received the nomination for most inspirational female teacher. “My belief has always been to be an effective teacher, but also a relatable one,” Mrs. Duffy said. “You have to be a teacher who values the rapport with students. A teacher’s job is not to be a friend, but to be a good role model and instructor.”

Seniors award teachers with golden apples Senior class voted April 21-25 for Teacher Superlatives; students were asked to consider all teachers they learned from