CRIER Vol. 50/Issue 10/April 21, 2016
MUNSTER HIGH SCHOOL
Page 6-7: Teacher; students, including Jocelyn Kopas, discuss realities of a teenager’s sex life
8808 COLUMBIA AVE, MUNSTER IN 46321
The School Town has been working down from a high of an $8 million deficit for about a year and a half.
UPCOMING n
ISTEP Testing: Continues until May 6
n
Summer School Registration: Forms due by Monday to Student Services, classes begin June 6
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Prom Schedule:
Superintendent, teacher provide update on School Town’s budget JANUARY 2015
n Grande
March: Saturday, 4:45-6:15 p.m. in the Fieldhouse
n Dance:
Saturday, 6:30 to 10 p.m. at the Serbian Social Center in Lansing
INSIDE LOOK
CEO of Morningstar Inc. and alumnus, Mr. Joe Mansueto, ’74, agreed to donate $200,000 annually for five years to the Teacher of Merit fund
APRIL 2015
MAY 2015
Because of a $2 million tax appeal by the Franciscan Alliance, the School Town lost $881,187.16 in anticipated revenue
When a tax disbursement payment fell $2.2 million short of expectations, 50 non-certified staff members were cut to begin reducing the deficit amount
To help decrease the deficit amount further, reductions in force (RIFs) happened to several certified staff members throughout the School Town of Munster
AUGUST 2015
Page 8
TODAY
Boys’ Golf plays at Chesterton meet today at 4:00 p.m.
$6,409,121.19
This is the current deficit amount, which has decreased by about $1.5 million over the past year and a half
Different funding
COMPARE AND CONTRAST
Amount in each fund Referendum fund $410,000
General fund
Starting salary High school for teachers
Debt service
Munster High School
$34,489
Exempt debt service
Highland High School
$36,000
Griffith High School
$36,500
Transportation fund
Lake Central High School
$39,700
Bus replacement
Crown Point High School
$40,000
-$6.4 million
$1.275 million Page 4 Crier staff member recreates recycled do-it-yourself (DIY) projects from Pinterest for Earth Day tomorrow
Pages 11-12 Look for coverage of Prom, including Prom court and tips for the dance
$3 million
Pension debt service $92,000
Capital projects $269,000
$336,000
$341,000
source: Rounded numbers from School Board budget spreadsheet for April 2016
source: Mr. Larry Hautzinger, lead negotiator for the Munster Teachers’ Association; Starting salaries are for the 2015-2016 school year
Mariah Villaroman Copy Editor
A
t the start of the 2014-2015 school year, the School Town’s
deficit reached a high of $8 million, but administration still had plans to reach financial security. Then, in January 2015, the School Board announced that the School Town had lost a $2.2 million tax disbursement, forcing 50 non-certified staff members to be cut. After this, several teachers were RIFed in May 2015. Now, the deficit stands at $6.4 million, projected to decrease to $5 million by this December. However, uncertainty still exists, as teachers are leaving to different jobs because of pay and financial stability. “The biggest problem has been the tax appeals the last two years, which has equaled $3 million dollars,” Dr. Jeffrey Hendrix, superintendent, said. “That was lost revenue for us that would have helped get the deficit under control sooner, but we have paid off all of our bills. We’re now basically paying the regular monthly bills.” The School Board recently decided to replace the boilers, which generated additional cost because of repairs, with high-efficiency ones. The new boiler system will cost the school around $2.5 million out of the capital projects budget, but will save energy costs and eventually ease the deficit, according to Dr. Hendrix. Despite the decreasing deficit, Mr. William Woods, choir director, will work at Crown Point High School next year for financial stability. “Most of us that have been here a long time, most of our pay is just staying the same,” Mr. Woods said. “For beginning teachers, they’re not going to choose Munster to start their teaching career; they’re going to look other places because other places start a beginning teacher at six or seven thousand dollars more a year.” Dr. Hendrix recognizes the amount teachers currently make is not enough, yet stresses that the school town must continue working in a deficit. “We’d love to give our teachers more money if we had it. There’s no doubt in my mind,” Dr. Hendrix said. “We want to keep our good teachers, absolutely, and it’s frustrating to figure out ways to raise more monies.”
2 news Quick Notes Paragon
Paragon wins Pacemaker for 2015 yearbook at National Convention in LA
Crier/April 21, 2016
Inside the Mustang Corral
Meena Kandallu Editor-in-Chief Last Saturday, Paragon won an NSPA
Pacemaker award for their 2015 yearbook “Making History Starts with You” in the category of 233-288 pages. Paragon, which has won two consecutive Pacemaker awards, is the only 2015 winner from Indiana, and one of 42 total winners nationwide. “It is awesome (winning consecutive awards),” editor-in-chief of “Making History Starts with You” Laurel Demkovich ‘15, said. “I’m so happy to be a part of both staffs. Junior year it didn’t really feel like that big of a deal, but for the book I was editor for, (it) feels like a whole new sense of pride. After we got the book back, we kind of all knew we had a good chance of repeating.”
March 30 marked the grand opening of the Mustang Corral, a student-operated store located in the space that formerly housed the school bookstore and the DECA store. The Mustang Corral sells food, drinks, and spirit wear, and it is open daily for a half an hour
before and after school. It is also open on some days during lunch. Each month a different club will sign up to staff the Mustang Corral, and profits from that month will be credited to that club. After the 2014 implementation of stricter federal nutritional standards made bake sales impractical, Mr. Wells says that the Mustang Corral is a viable option for clubs to fundraise.
On select days, the Mustang Corral sells Otis Spunkmeyer cookies, which are homemade in an oven located in the store. Art Club created this mural in 2007, and it was meant to hang in the Merrillville Roller Rink. However, when the roller rink closed, the mural was returned to MHS and lay unused until it was hung in the Mustang Corral.
DECA
DECA leaves for Internationals in Nashville on Saturday
DECA will leave Saturday and return Wednesday to attend Internationals in Nashville. For Vince D’Angelo, senior, this will be his second and final time attending DECA Internationals. DECA is excited to be able to meet and connect with people on an international level, according to Vince. “As a team from Indiana, we’re in a different environment,” Vince said. “There are teams from Washington, Ontario and Georgia where DECA is taken much more seriously. While here, DECA is an extracurricular, so we’re at a competitive disadvantage.”
ISTEP
State bill eliminates ISTEP test, establishes panel to study alternatives
Last month, Gov. Mike Pence signed the House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1395, which eliminates the ISTEP test, effective July 1, 2017. The bill also establishes a 23 member panel to study alternatives to ISTEP. “By signing House Enrolled Act 1395, we’re taking the first step toward eliminating ISTEP and ensuring that multiple perspectives are considered as Indiana develops its next iteration of assessment and accountability of our schools,” Gov. Pence said in a press release.
Corrections
In issue 9 of Crier, the photo caption on page 2 should have stated that the prebuild portion was the first of three. On page 3, freshmen should be added to the list in the section “Who takes the ISTEP?” On page 9, Cincinnati was missing. On page 11, the quotation about dance in “Across the Board” should have read “I think (changing our routine) helped; we learned to work together and to better focus,” Varsity dancer Sofia Balac, sophomore, said. “It actually turned out to be good, even though we had to sacrifice a lot of time that we could have spent on Pom, it’s okay because we still got first in Pom and placed higher in Jazz.” Senior Kyle Jen’s name was also misspelled. On page 12, Kiriako Tsoukalas, junior, was incorrectly identified. Crier regrets these errors. Additionally, Crier would like to clarify that the March Madness statistics on page 9 regarding chances of creating a perfect bracket were different because two different sources were used: Bleacher Report and fivethirtyeight.com, a website that mainly posts statistical articles regarding politics, economics and sports.
“Since the school store is not a class that is taught at the school anymore, we thought (the Mustang Corral) would be a great opportunity to have clubs generate revenue (that) they sorely need,” Mr. Wells said. The Mustang Corral replaces the similarly set up Mustang Cafe, which was located in the concession stand earlier in the school year.
Proceeds from certain spirit wear items in the Mustang Corral go to specific organizations instead of benefiting the club that is running the store that month. For example, Munster Football profits from the sale of football helmets and jerseys that have been signed by MHS coaches Mr. Leroy Marsh and Mr. John Friend.
The Mustang Corral sells spirit wear and novelty items, including hats, shirts and hoodies.
The Mustang Corral sells drinks, including Naked juice, water, coffee and tea.
The Mustang Corral sells snacks, including mini donuts, pretzels, and granola bars.
Closing curtains Theatre’s final production of school year, ‘Cinderella,’ runs May 5-8 Simon Pirok News Editor Munster Theatre Company’s ‘Cinderella’ begins May 5 and will run through May 8. The production is based on the Broadway musical and not the Disney movie, according to Dr. Larry Brechner, Auditorium Director. “I’m really expecting this production to be a fabulous musical,” Dr. Brechner said. “This time, we’re going with $5 tickets for everyone, so we’re hoping to attract a lot more people than the normal parents and family members that come out. We really want to encourage everyone to come out and see the musical because it’ll be a fun time and it’s a cheap date.” Anna Bilse, senior, plays the role of Cinderel-
infographic by Meena Kandallu, photos by Danijela Kaurin sources: Mrs. Dana Ziel, principal’s secretary, Mr. Mike Wells, principal
Items such as this speaker, which plays music while the Mustang Corral is open, and the tables and stools that were brought in from the cafeteria, are meant to give the bookstore the same vibe as a coffeeshop.
la, which she has wanted to do ever since she was young. “It’s been a dream of mine for a really long time (to play Cinderella), so I am incredibly excited to be able to experience that,” Box office bucks Anna said. “We are hoping we can get Theatre Company magic to come to life on stage, and we looks to purchase are hoping we can get people to be- certain elements for lieve in princesses.” ‘Cinderella’ Since the spring production is the Rights and royalties last high school production for seniors, an ample amount of sadness is to be Costumes for lead actors experienced by underclassmen, but there is also hope for the future, ac16 pit crew members cording to Alex Raycroft, junior, who plays the role of Godmother. Four backdrops “It’s kind of sad because this is the Paint for sets last time we’ll be able to perform with the seniors,” Alex said. “We have a lot source: Dr. Larry Brechner, Auditoriof traditions that we’re going to send um Director them off with, but they are going off to college so we’re really happy for them all, but we’re all still sad because we’ll miss them all next year.”
$2,000 $400-600 $4,800 $1,200 $300
news 3
Crier/April 21, 2016
The votes are in Juniors Jake Ingoglia, Milan Obradovic win Student Government election for president, vice president after voting ended yesterday Platform: n n
photo provided by Tiffany Wang
GAME SHOW SHOWDOWN The MHS team, including seniors Lydia Zheng, Harsh Jhaveri, Anthony Zmuda and Tiffany Wang, faces off against Merrillville as host Andy Schultz reads a question. Although the presence of cameras made her slightly nervous, Tiffany Wang describes the overall environment and interaction with competitors as relaxed. “(We attended the competition) very much for the experience. We didn’t have any expectations because we were the first team (from Munster to attend the competition),” Tiffany said. “We just went there to see what would happen.”
Battle of the brains Academic team members compete in televised game show style competition, ‘Making the Grade’ several years, Mr. Keith Koszut, academic teams sponsor, has always declined the offers due to conflicts with Last week, several members of the other events or competitions for variacademic teams participated in a game ous academic teams. show format competition This year’s Making sponsored by Lakeshore Broadcast information the Grade team conPublic Media. sisted of six seniors What: “Making the Grade” This competition, Time: 5:30 p.m. who are members of known as “Making the academic teams: Harsh Date: May 13, 16-20, 23-27 Grade,” is open to high Jhaveri, Alex Kirr, Where: Lakeshore Public Teleschools in Northwest Daniel Soeka, Tiffany Indiana, and taped epi- vision, Channel 56 (DirectTV, Wang, Lydia Zheng sodes of the competition AT&T) and Channels 17/21 and Anthony Zmuda. will air on Lakeshore (Comcast) In each round of comsource: Lakeshore Public Media petition, four students Public Television next month. competed and two stuThis is the first year that MHS has dents served as alternates. fielded a team for this competition. “It’s Jeopardy-style gameplay, Though coordinators have invited the (which) seemed interesting. And it was school to the competition for the past fun, honestly—(it) was a good use of
Meena Kandallu Editor-in-Chief
four hours,” Harsh said. “I’m just competitive in general, so competition is fun for me. It allows you to see what you know.” Eight local teams were in the competition. After winning their first round against Merrillville on Wednesday, the MHS team lost Friday to Andrean in a semi-final round. “That was a little painful because we got all the math questions wrong or didn’t answer them fast enough. We actually had a good lead in the middle, but they came back and got some of the questions that were worth more points,” Tiffany said. “When we saw the topics, we wanted to get the math questions right. The other topics were a little more obscure, but we thought, ‘we know math,’ but we messed up.” Though the competition was a small production that was filmed in a local studio, Mr. Koszut describes the experience as interesting and professional. “It’s a cable access thing, so it’s not a huge deal, but everyone was really professional,” Mr. Koszut said. “I thought it was a great production, and I think people will find the game really intriguing, actually.”
DRIVERS EDUCATION !!
Expanded social media presence to update students on events and sign-ups School voting for Music Friday songs, Spirit Days and HC themes
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Easy access to school announcements
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Suggestion box and Twitter account for students to send in ideas
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Allow the bands competing in “Battle of the Bands” to play before school during Battle week
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MRT competitions
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Individual winners for spirit week
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Form a “Superfans Group” organization
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Create laptop charging stations
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Reopen the courtyard to students during lunch periods
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Increase intramural sporting events
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Move the Prom Date to accommodate different club members
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Implementing a student DJ
photo by Jaylee Rodriguez
PRESIDENTIAL STATUS Jake (right) will be student body president and Milan (left) will be vice president for the 2016-2017 school year.
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4 spotlight
Crier/April 21, 2016
Growing to new heights
Old items, new uses Pinterest is the world of inspirational doit-yourself (DIY) crafts, from “pointless” geometric wall art to mosaics bird feeders. With Earth Day tomorrow, Crier staffer reviews Pinterest DIYs based on recycled materials.
Hanging light bulb vase
Why throw away dead light bulbs when making a hanging light bulb planter is so easy— minus the danger of glass shards and fact that there is almost nowhere to actually hang it. The instructional photos on Step 1: Pull the metal tab off of the bottom Pinterest are not very clear for of the light bulb with the needle nose pliers how easy it actually is to make and Step 2: Using the side of the needle nose leave crafters wondering, “What pliers, break the black glass (yes, it is glass) do I do next?” that was under the metal tab Although the planter can look Step 3: Tie a string around the treads of really interesting with the right the light bulb flowers and is unexpectedly easy Step 4: Fill the light bulb with water and to make, the process is dangerous, flowers and the product is fragile.
Difficulty: 2/5 Time: 30 minutes Practicality: Materials: Light bulb, needle nose pliers, flowers, water, string
Breaking it up Glass bottle cup
Ian Brundige Student Life Editor
Difficulty: 5/5 Time: 25 minutes Practicality: Materials: Glass bottle, string, lighter fluid, sandpaper, cold water, matches
In full bloom Biodegradable planter
Difficulty: 1/5 Time: 10 minutes Practicality: Materials: Newspaper, tape, a bottle, seeds, soil There are two types of people: people who want to plant their own seeds, and those who— if they even want to try pretending they have a green thumb —will just go buy a small, pre-grown starter plant. This DIY biodegradable planter is for the first group. Once the plant has sprouted, just put the entire planter into the ground and the newspaper will decompose and become part of the soil. This is an easy craft that anyone who knows how to make a paper airplane can pull off. Step 1: Use two pages of newspaper for every planter Step 2: Stack the two pages, fold them in half, lengthwise Step 3: Fold the newspapers in half again, width wise Step 4: Roll the folded newspapers around a bottle Step 5: Tape it tightly, remove bottle Step 6: Fill the pot halfway with dirt Step 7: Following the directions on the seed package, plant the seeds Step 8: Fill the rest of the planter with dirt
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Yes, it is a cup. Just a cup. Nothing special. The final product of this DIY is not creative, but the process of cutting the glass is exciting and surprisingly difficult. The glass can easily shatter at the incorrect spots, on uneven lines, or with jagged edges, so have extra bottles on hand. This DIY can be taken a step further with some old candles and a pack of wicks from your local craft store to make a homemade candle.
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Step 1: Wrap the string around the bottle, tie a knot to fit Pro-tip: Take any labels off Step 2: Dip the loop into lighter fluid Step 3: Pull the loop back over the bottle at the desired height Step 4: Light the string on fire Step 5: After the entire ring is on fire, carefully, lower the bottle into cold water. The change in temperature will crack the glass Step 6: Tap along the crack to fully break the bottle Step 7: Sand to dull the edge
Brighten up the place Tin can lantern
This surprisingly difficult DIY is a costless way to add a small amount of light to any outdoor area or hangout room. The most taxing part of this quick tin can lantern is compressing the can to get the lantern shape. If you push too hard, the metal will bend out of shape. If it gets bent, the sharp edges make it harder to repair and shape correctly. But be careful because if the can is not pressed with enough pressure it will not compress at all. The original design on the can may look cool, but a few coats of spray paint helps make it look more professional.
Difficulty: 3/5 Time: 25 minutes Practicality: Materials: Cans, tea light candles, spray paint, exacto knife Step 1: Cut seven or eight evenly spaced slits into the can Step 2: Compress the can on top and bottom Step 3: Use your fingers or the exacto blade to smooth the strips as best as possible Step 4: Spray paint if desired Step 5: Add the candle
Caution: Do try this at home; that is what DIY is all about. But be smart and be careful.
ONE PERSON’S TRASH (above) The first attempts of the bottle cup and tin can lantern lay on the pavement. Both eco-friendly projects require care and patience to complete sucessfully. When working with glass bottles, remove the sticker first to keep it out of the way, and when melting the glass, make sure the fire is hot enough. ANOTHER ONE’S TREASURE (right) The finished versions of a light bulb plant holder, biodegradable flower pot, glass cup and tin can lantern are displayed. These projects are low-cost and eco-friendly, though levels of practicality and difficulty vary. all photos by Veronica Bilek
speakout 5
Crier/April 21, 2016
CRIER Munster High School
PROTECTING OUR INNOCENCE, NOT OUR SAFETY When discussing sex, schools could fill libraries with their knowledge of abstinence. If the state standards had their way, that’s all students would worry about. Condoms? The pill? Contraception? Unthinkable!
editorial
Changing the conversation
Fact: 26 states require that abstinence be stressed in sexual education, according to Guttmacher Institute. Fact: In 2013, 47 percent of surveyed high school students admitted to having had sexual intercourse, according to the CDC. Fact: In 2014, 35 percent of surveyed high schools across the nation taught their OUR TAKE students how to correctly use a condom, according to the CDC. State standards If these numbers appear strange should require schools to teach together, they should. April, STD about safe Awareness Month, provides the sex along with perfect opportunity to face the facts abstinence about how sex education should be taught. The Indiana state constitution rules schools must teach medically accurate information about AIDS, and many schools talk about other STDs and how to prevent them. The law also explains that when teaching about sexual relationships, it must be stressed that the safest way to go about it is when both partners wait until marriage. This information is accurate and important to learn,
but it is also where teaching stops. Schools need to teach students about condoms and contraception. Yes, it is the most uncomfortable discussion topic known to mankind, but students’ health and safety are indisputably more important than leaving class as blush-free as possible. That 47 percent of high school students who have had sex and the 53 percent who haven’t are going to learn somehow. A few lessons on how to have sex safely can prevent students from getting their sex education through Google. While schools should not step on parents’ toes about the issue, most students will have sex in their lifetime and when it happens, it is just as important for students to understand the risks as it is for them to protect themselves from those risks. There is nothing wrong with teaching students about abstinence and encouraging students to stay abstinent for the time being. Some people think high school students are too young to be having sex. However, none of them will be too young forever. When students have sex, they need to be educated on how to go about it safely and responsibly.
Mental illness is not a crime Mary Ellen Gilhooly Business Manager There are more seriously mentally ill individuals in the Los Angeles County Jail, Chicago’s Cook County Jail, or New York’s Riker’s Island Jail than any psychiatric hospital in the United States, according to the Treatment Advocacy Center. This means that individuals stay locked in a cell instead of in facilities they need for the best care. Last month a man publicly decapitated a four-year-old girl in the middle of the day in Taipei, Taiwan. The man, found to be homeless, was detained and police later discovered that he had a history of a serious mental illness and had sought psychiatric help. The National Institute of Mental Health conducted a survey in 2014 to define a serious mental illness (SMI) as “a mental, behavioral, or emotional dis-
order resulting in serious functional impairment, which substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities.” Based on statistics from jails around the country, the Treatment Advocacy Center also found that prisoners that suffer from an SMI typically stay longer in jails than regular inmates do. For example, the Center found that in New York’s Riker’s Island Jail, the average stay for all inmates is 42 days; however, for mentally ill inmates, the average is 215 days. Not only do the mentally ill have to stay in a prison for their crimes longer, but they also cost more to stay in the jail, due to the prescription drugs given to them. In some cases, the costs of medication for these individuals actually exceed the cost of their food. So why aren’t we paying attention to this or trying to prevent these individu-
als from crimes that are an outcome of their disease? The man from Taiwan faced charges for the decapitation of the four-year-old, but the Taipei community is now seeking to put the death penalty into play. This doesn’t seem fair, considering that this all could have been prevented had the needs of this man’s mental illness been cared for. Prevention can change the fact that 356,000 individuals with an SMI are in state prisons, which is ten times more than the 35,000 in state hospitals. Mental illness isn’t a choice these people can make, but situations like these happen because no one takes the cautionary steps to give the help they need. No individual can be treated the same, and criminals and mentally ill people definitely cannot be treated the same way. The mental health of these ill people should be a priority over the crimes they committed while having an illness.
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. Crier is published through the Honors Newspaper Advanced Writing and Editing classes and extra-curricular involvement. •The newspaper serves as a public forum and twoway 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. Corrections, when necessary, will be published on page 2. Opinions expressed in the newspaper do not necessarily reflect those of the School Town of Munster, faculty or administration. Letters to the editor and reader suggestions 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 Publications room, 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. Feedback may also be submitted on Twitter @munstermedia. Mailed subscriptions cost $25 per year. Ad rates and policies are available to anyone upon request. Crier is published 11 times a school year.
The Staff Editor-in-Chief Meena Kandallu Design Editor Chloe Wineinger Copy Editor Mariah Villaroman Associate Editor Danie Oberman Media Editor Jordan Szymanski Opinion Editor Danie Oberman Sports Editors Joseph Bermudez Jordan Szymanski News Editors Gavin Hamilton Simon Pirok Infocus Editor Sofía Navarro Student Life Editor Ian Brundige Cartoonist Gavin Hamilton Head Photographer Rachel Bishop Business Manager Mary Ellen Gilhooly Photographers Veronica Bilek Elisa Del Toro Elizabeth Fonseca Olivia Hesterman Brandi Hoover Ashwin Iyer Danijela Kaurin Bree Karl Sidney Milne Vrusti Patel Melanie Powers Nicole Roberts Jaylee Rodriguez Emma Trivunovic Easan Venkat Andrew Vicari Summer Witvoet Adviser Ms. Sarah-Anne Lanman
6 infocus
Crier/April 21, 2016
before the law: it begins The School Board ado seven years, according t “Our school is more what we want our stud class),” Mr. Marsh said nurse and get birth con condoms. It differs all th The school focuses o ality of a responsible se opinions to cloud the cu “Some of the things be teaching they might on as part of our respo “What you definitely w through a high school e HIVs and human sexua standpoint, not a moral In the high school’s he in Chapter 8 is “Abstine itive effect on all sides o health triangle include social health. The book triangle may be negati and having unstable rel Another area of conc tive effects on a teen m entitled “Reducing Tee hood, “teen mothers ar school and more likely bearing to live in pover
Five years after havi hardships, Jocelyn look
photo illustration by Veronica Bilek, Ian Brundige, Jordan Szymanski
With recent pregnancy related legislation, HEA 1337, teenagers, teachers discuss sex life responsibilities; sex education in high school
ly calm. As she sat in Community Hospital waiting to hear more about her unexpected pregnancy, her dad left to buy M&M’s at the nearby vending machine. Her mom later found out through Facebook. No screaming; no crying: this was now her reality. Right before her middle school graduation, Jocelyn Kopas, former student, was forced to face the consequences of sex at 14-years-old. Jocelyn spent the summer after middle school with her first experiences of morning sickness. When she began her freshman year at MHS, Jocelyn dealt with mixed reactions towards her situation. “People’s reactions were far worse when I was pregnant than after I had the baby,” Jocelyn said. “When I was pregnant, I would walk and people would cough and say,
‘wh**e.’ I would just pretend that I didn’t hear anything, I didn’t see anything. But after I had (the baby), it was all ‘Oh, I want to see her!’ and I was thinking, ‘Yeah, you weren’t saying that before.’” While Jocelyn dealt with the drama at school, she also had the responsibility of raising a new baby, Brooklyn, at home. “The hardest (part) was the first year. That’s when, you know, they don’t sleep, and I had no idea what I was doing. I had really bad postpartum depression,” Jocelyn said. “Most of my ‘friends’ were no longer my friends. It was just really bad, and I had to stay with my mom who I don’t really have a relationship with because she signed me over to the State when I was little, so I was kind of forced to be with her. It really didn’t get easier until I moved back to Munster (after my sophomore year at Valpo).” With the state legislation, HEA 1337, affecting reproductive rights and dealing heavily with a woman’s pregnancy, many begin to question the impact that state-mandated pregnancy and sex education laws can have. For students at MHS, the conversation about a teenager’s sex life starts
The truth about sex
What does Planned Parenthood do
Jordan Szymanski Sports Editor
Mariah Villaroman Copy Editor
S
he was on the pill. It wasn’t supposed to happen. When she found out, it was a complete shock, but also odd-
According to Planned Parenthood, young adults report having sex before... The age of 13
Tenth grade
Senior year
750,000 teens pregnant each year
6.2%
82%
of teen pregnancies are unintended
The consequences of
junior, and his girlfrien cember last year when pregnant with her secon ferent father. “At first I was kind o over the shock phase, I wanted to have a kid o keep him.” Recently, Greg found magazine at the docto
Planned Parenthood has numerous services available to women, men and children 34 % Contraceptives 42% STI/ STD treatment
43.8%
63.1%
other woman have avai While Jocelyn conside go through with an abo rience at Planned Paren erate. “When I went in th abortion procedure), th they didn’t seem like th ably meaner to me than of my age,” Jocelyn sai a very rude comment. pregnant you get the b until you’re farther alo do the ultrasound is th and it’s very uncomfort she said ‘Well, if you ca handle this.’ That is whe to say.”
11% Other Women’s Health Services
1% Other Services 3% Abortions
9% Cancer screenings
graphic by Ian Brundige, Jordan Szymanski
Crier/April 21, 2016
s in a health classroom. opts a new health curriculum every to Mr. Leroy Marsh, health teacher. open (and) broader in the scope of dents to be taught (in sex education “In some schools you can go to the ntrol or go to a P.E. teacher and get hroughout the country.” on educating students about the reex life and does not allow differing urriculum. we assume that the parents would t not be teaching, so we’ve taken it onsibility to teach,” Mr. Marsh said. would not want is for a student to go education and not learn about STDs, ality. We approach it from a scientific lity one.” ealth textbook, one of the main ideas ence from sexual activity has a posof your health triangle.” A person’s es physical, mental/emotional and k lists how each area of a teenager’s ively affected by contracting STDs lationships through sexual activity. cern for teen pregnancy is the negamother’s life. According to an article en Pregnancy” by Planned Parentre less likely to graduate from high y than their peers who delay childrty and to rely on welfare.”
Contraceptives The effectiveness of contraceptives is the individual’s responsibility
Birth Control Pills
About 9% of women on the pill will get pregnant each year if they do not take it as instructed
Condoms If used correctly, condoms are 98%
effective But, considering human error condoms are actually
82% effective
source: www.PlannedParenthood.org
home with him; he takes initiative in finding any guidance he can on being a father. “It felt real when we saw pictures of the ultrasound. I wasn’t nervous this entire time. I’ve just been excited, just for being a father in general,” Greg said. “Plus, I help her raise her daughter. I’m pretty set mentally for this. I wanted to wait until we were 22, but accidents happen.” With limited space in Sadie’s home, she cannot continue to live with her mom after the baby’s birth. This puts financial and mental stress on the couple as they try to relocate their new family. “(My mom) waited until I told her and then she got mad. Now she’s just excited but at the same time, she makes sure I know I cannot live there after I give birth because there is not enough room in the house,” Sadie said. “She keeps telling me ‘I love you and all that, but remember this when I tell you there’s definitely not going to be enough room for two babies.’”
Even with the controversy and struggles surrounding teen pregnancy, Jocelyn discovered that being a teen mom was
the catalyst for her maturity and current lifestyle: one she does not regret. “I think that most of the time (teenage pregnancy) happens, people always act as if teen pregnancy is a bad thing,” Jocelyn said. “ And while it’s not particularly what I want for (Brooklyn), I don’t think (being a teen mother) is. I think people are afraid to say that it’s not a bad thing because it’s not supposed to be a good thing. But I think for certain people in certain situations, it is.”
ing her daughter and facing these
ks back on the options that she and ilable to them as expecting mothers. ers herself pro-choice, she could not ortion because she found her expenthood to be offensive and inconsid-
here, the way they described (the he way they were so cold about it, hey felt bad. The doctor was probn the other people, mainly because id. “I actually had one doctor make You know how when you first get belly ultrasound? Those don’t work ong, so the only way that they can hrough one that goes inside of you, table. I complained that it hurt, and an fit a penis in there, then you can en I switched doctors, that is so rude
a teenager’s sex life hit Greg Kocal,
nd, Sadie Lane, 17-years-old, in Den the couple discovered Sadie was nd child. Her first child is with a dif-
of in shock,” Greg said. “After I got started getting excited. I’ve always of my own. I knew that I wanted to
d himself interested in a parenthood or’s office and accidentally took it
in 1 3 women who have been pregnant have had an abortion
20%
of women in the U.S. have visited a Planned Parenthood source: www.PlannedParenthood.org
photo by Danijela Kaurin
BEAR HUG At the Frank. H. Hammond park last Thursday, Jocelyn Kopas, a teen mom, picks up her smiling daughter Brooklyn while she plays n the playground. Brooklyn ran around the playground posing for pictures and showing off for her mom and photographers. “Mommy,” Brooklyn said. “I’m doing good with my pictures, mommy. I’m taking good ones ”
infocus 7
HEA 1337
affects pregnancy Mariah Villaroman Copy Editor On March 24 the Indiana General Assembly passed House Enrolled Act 1337 (HEA 1337). The bill centers around adding requirements for receiving an abortion and what a person needs to do after receiving an abortion. Also, the bill changes conditions with miscarriages. “Some of my most precious moments as Governor have been with families of children with disabilities, especially those raising children with Down syndrome,” Gov. Mike Pence wrote in a statement released with the HEA 1337. “These Hoosiers never fail to inspire me with their compassion and these special children never fail to move me with their love and joy. By enacting this legislation, we take an important step in protecting the unborn, while still providing an exception for the life of the mother. I sign this legislation with a prayer that God would continue to bless these precious children, mothers and families.” Ninety-seven out of 150 legislators voted in favor of HEA 1337, which has been compared to the controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) passed last year in Indiana. Both received nationwide backlash, which led to an additional bill acting as an amendment for the RFRA. Many organizations and groups have begun their protests against HEA 1337, effective July 1. Forums such as awakeforwomensrights on Tumblr allow women to share their experiences with abortion and miscarriage and specifically how HEA 1337 would have affected them. From the bill’s fiscal note, the major points include: n This bill provides that informed consent for an abortion must be obtained in a private setting. It provides that a pregnant woman considering an abortion must be given the opportunity to view the fetal ultrasound imaging and hear the auscultation (sound) of the fetal heart tone at least 18 hours before the abortion is performed and at the same time that informed consent is obtained. n The bill prohibits a person from performing an abortion if the person knows that the pregnant woman is seeking the abortion solely because of: (1) the race, color, national origin, ancestry, or sex of the fetus; or(2) a diagnosis or potential diagnosis of the fetus having Down syndrome or any other disability. It provides for disciplinary sanctions and civil liability for wrongful death if a person knowingly or intentionally performs a sex-selective abortion or an abortion conducted because of a diagnosis or potential diagnosis of Down syndrome or any other disability. n The bill also provides that the performance of an abortion solely because of the race, color, sex, disability,national origin, or ancestry of the fetus or a violation of certain statutes protecting the right of conscience regarding abortion is a discriminatory practice for purposes of the civil rights law. n The bill specifies that: (1) a person is not required to designate a name for the miscarried or aborted fetus; and (2) information submitted with respect to the disposition of a miscarried or aborted fetus that may be used to identify the parent or parents of a miscarried fetus or a pregnant who had an abortion is confidential and must be redacted from any public records maintained under the burial permit law.
8 sports
Crier/April 21, 2016
Across the board
Know your clubs
Golf clubs commonly used, distances for average high school golfer
Driver Used at tee, travels 170 to 250 yards aiming for fairway
Baseball With a record of 7-3, Baseball will travel to Whiting today at 5 p.m., hoping to avoid repeating the 5-4 loss last season, according to Coach Bob Shinkan, math teacher. Underestimating Whiting’s ability because they were not a top team caused the loss last season, according to Coach Shinkan. He coaches the team to disregard this mindset and play their best no matter the competitor. “You always have to respect your opponents,” Coach Shinkan said. “(Whiting) just outplayed us last year, and I want to prepare the team to make sure that doesn’t happen again. (Not overlooking a team) is just a mindset you have to have.”
6-Iron Mostly used as second shot, travels 140 to 160 yards aiming for green
Wedge Used inside 110 yards to get closest to hole on green
Putter Used on green to finish hole
Tee it up
source: Easan Venkat
Boys’ Golf gains experience from last season, travels to Chesterton today Gavin Hamilton News Editor When Merrick Lieser, sophomore, steps up to the tee, he creates a mental picture of his shot, visualizing the pathway his golf club sends his shot through the air. This is what Lieser and his team plan to do when the Boys’ Golf team travels to the Sand Creek course today at 4 p.m. to compete against Chesterton. They will enter the meet with confidence, according to Lieser. “We are just going to play our best,” Lieser said. “We’re just going to try to have less shots than (the Chesterton team).” Though the team recently started their season, they have already won the first invite of the year at Hobart and a match at Highland last night, giving them the confidence they need to succeed, according to Lieser. “We just won the Hobart invite and we beat two of the teams that were higher than us in the rankings before the season. So we’re trying to show evFax (219) 924-3712 Robert L. Young, M.D., Inc. 1646 45th Avenue Munster, IN 46321
Softball photo by Easan Venkat
EASY DOES IT Practicing putting, Tony Daniels, sophomore, receives tips from teammate Merrick Lieser, sophomore. Using experience from the previous season will give the team an advantage, according to Daniels. “We’ve all worked hard, whether (over) the summer or last fall after our freshman season, to just get a lot better, and I think this experience is going to be the biggest factor in our improvement,” Daniels said.
eryone what we’re capable of,” Lieser said “We knew we would be competing and we all wanted to win really badly, so we were all talking about winning before the match started, and when we won, it was a big step for us.” The team’s progress has been a pleasant surprise, according to Coach Bill Smitka, social studies teacher. Many of the team members have been practicing since their last season ended in June last year. “Our improvement has been enormous, and part of it is that (the team is) one year stronger. They are starting to physically mature, they are a little bit more comfortable in competition, they are comfortable around each other, they are comfortable around me, they are starting to know the courses that we play, they are starting to figure out what competitive golf is all about,” Coach Smitka said. “I’m pleasantly surprised at this point where we’re at, but we have to keep getting better because we’re not at all where we need to be yet. We’re just on the path to where we need to be now.”
FREDRIC D. YOUNG, M.D.
Despite having only one senior on the team, Lieser believes that the team has grown in experience from how they performed last year. “We’re young obviously, but last year we weren’t that good, as the record (3-10) shows. We were all able to hit good shots; we were just freshmen and inexperienced,” Lieser said. “This year we all know what we’re doing when it comes to a match during the week or an invite on Saturday morning, and we have a lot more experience that we built up from last year. We kind of use it to our advantage.” Because the golf team did not win any trophies and only won three matches last year, the recent victory is important to the morale of the team, according to Tony Daniels, sophomore. “I think last year, there were some teams we had zero chance against, but I think this year we’re obviously a lot better because we have a lot of returning players,” Daniels said. “I think other teams last year lost a lot of talent, so I think we really have a chance to succeed this year.” Telephone (219) 924-3700
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Currently at a 5-5 record, Softball has a game against Highland today at 4:30 p.m. While the team prepares for games that may end up canceled, especially during the early portions of the season, Coach Beth Thornburg has a method of preparing for games. “I don’t really prepare for one specific game any differently than I normally would,” Coach Thornburg said. “We usually end up battling weather because we need to get outside and work on what needs to be worked on. While we have only played four games, we’ve played more games than a lot of teams in the area.”
Track and Field The Track and Field team won the meet Tuesday against Lowell and Griffith at Lowell High School. On top of their win, a large amount of the team set a new personal record or ran their best race of the season, including Eric Salzeider, junior. The team feels more confident towards achieving their end goal of performing well in Regionals and Sectionals next month, according to Salzeider. “We’ve been training really hard,” Salzeider said. “We’ve been working towards Sectionals and Regionals all season, and all of the work we put in showed up (Tuesday.)”
sports 9
Crier/April 21, 2016
Future of the game Sports column
Jordan Szymanski Sports Editor
Winning tradition photo by Vrusti Patel
PARTNERS IN CRIME While playing a challenge match, which determines the starting lineup for upcoming meets, Sara Ladd, junior, front left, attempts to return a shot alongside partner Anisha Vavilala, senior, front right, against Natalia Salazar, sophomore, back left, and Allison Dinh, senior, back right. Ladd and Vavilala have been doubles partners since Ladd’s freshman year. “(Coach Spohr) paired us up to see how we would do,” Ladd said. “It turned out being perfect partnership.”
Girls’ Tennis travels to Highland, maintains schedule despite unexpected snow Danie Oberman Associate Editor
photo by Vrusti Patel
MATCH POINT While returning a shot during practice, Kaylynn Gruber, junior, focuses on clearing her mind and keeping calm during matches. “I’m mainly focused on the game I’m playing; I’m worried about each point specifically,” Gruber said.
April showers bring May flowers... except for this year, when the beginning of April brought snow, causing Girls’ Tennis to hold multiple practices in the WWMS wrestling room, working out to stay in shape. Today they play at Highland, and Anna Riggs, senior, anticipates a win. “Highland had this really big peak, but now they’re kind of lower,” Riggs said. “They’re not our big competitors or like Crown Point, because (MHS and Crown Point are) always beating each other (at matches). But with Highland, I’m pretty positive we’re going to beat them.” The team played Highland twice last year, winning 5-0 both times. “I would think that we would be highly favored against Highland (for this match),” Coach Patrick Spohr, Elliott teacher, said. Looking later into the season, Coach Spohr sets his sights on one of the team’s larger goals: achieving Munster’s 40th consecutive Sectional championship title. “(Winning Sectionals) itself is a tradition that goes back before I was even born,
so that puts a lot of pressure on you. You don’t want to do anything to jeopardize that tradition, but you have to trust in your team,” Coach Spohr said. “You have to trust in their ability and their skill level to be able to compete at their highest level. And I have to trust in my coaching staff, Coach (Dave) Cafmeyer and Coach Sid Rothestien, to help me prepare these kids to be able to challenge the best players available.” After winning Sectionals last season, the team placed second in the state. They lost to Carmel in the finals; Coach Spohr hopes the team can reach the bar they set last year. “It’s all about practice, it’s all about preparation, it’s all about attitude,” Coach Spohr said. Anisha Vavilala, senior, shares the same goals as her coach, but being part of a team relieves some of the pressure. “The thing is, I think the team definitely feels a little bit of pressure because we did well last year, but I don’t think individual girls feel a lot of overwhelming pressure because they are doing it with everybody else,” Vavilala said. “We have a great team, we have a great support system, (and) the coach is always by our side.”
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Michael Jordan changed the game. Kobe Bryant changed the game. LeBron James changed the game. Critics say Golden State Warriors’ point-guard, Steph Curry, is changing the game. If he is, then he is in good company. Curry is the king of three pointers. He takes Hail Mary shots 15 feet from the three-point line. And he makes them. 402 of them. He drives to the net with an invisible force field keeping him the untouchable player he is. A player that leads a team to a 73-9 record. The best the league has ever seen. One of Curry’s critics is Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson. Robertson attributed Curry’s three point success to “modern basketball’s lack of defense and poor coaching.” He went further to say that “Steph is good because of the way basketball is played today.” Basketball is an evolutionary sport. The technicalities of the sport along with the culture surrounding it develop and evolve constantly. The techniques change as well. Forty years ago dunking was considered an unskillful move. That didn’t last long. A legend named Michael Jordan came along and destroyed the concept of “grounded” basketball. And thankfully for us he did. He revolutionized the way basketball was played forever and in turn, the game earned the fan base it has today. Kobe Bryant built on that movement. Bryant has been criticized for being a selfish player. Yet, with his retirement this season, he is leaving behind a high-scoring, innovative career. His flamboyant game that showcases his individual skills (and won the Lakers five national championships) catapulted basketball into the limelight. These players make the game what it is. The game does not equate to their success; instead, they directly contribute to the game’s success. Steph Curry should never be criticized for doing what all the greats have done before him. After all, he is one of them.
10sports
Crier/April 21, 2016
Varsity Jacket: Deconstructed Crier deconstructs senior Antoine Van Dyke’s varsity jacket in order to better understand the meaning behind his patches
Scholar Athlete Patch Right side on front Students who maintain an A average GPA during the season earn this patch
Munster Varsity Patches Left side on front The two M’s signify varsity status in both choir (front patch) and sports (Track and basketball on back patch)
ISSMA State Finalist Patch Right side on front Choir members who attended the ISSMA State competition in 2014 and 2015 earned this patch
Mustang
Graduation Year
Right sleeve Jacket owners can choose to have this patch to represent the school mascot
Left sleeve The “16” represents the year of graduation
Chorale Chevrons Left sleeve After being in Chorale for three years, each chevron represents a year he earned a varsity letter
Varsity Sport Chevron
Elective Patches
Left sleeve After being on Varsity Track and Varsity Boys’ Basketball for one year, the chevron represents the number of years he earned a varsity letter for a sport
Right sleeve Varsity jacket owners can choose to own patches based on the activities they partake in. Van Dyke chose the music note, basketball, and winged foot to represent his extracurriculars: Choir, Boys’ Basketball, and Track
Boys’ Basketball Conference Champions Patch
Boys’ Basketball Sectional Champions Patch
Patches for awards belong on the back. All members of Boys’ Basketball earned this patch after winning Conference in 2015
Dressed to
All members of the Boys’ Basketball team earned this patch after winning Sectionals in 2015
impress
Students discuss purpose of varsity jackets Mary Ellen Gilhooly Business Manager The Harvard University baseball team first wore varsity jackets in 1865, with the idea coming from the university’s letter sweaters. The players wore them to show the team’s success through patches on the jacket.
In recent years, however, many non-athletic teams and clubs have begun awarding varsity letters to their participants, allowing students in clubs like band, choir and theater to get a letterman jacket. With the weather warming up, most students in competitive clubs or sports find themselves buying their Varsity
infographic by Chloe Wineinger
sources: Antoine Van Dyke, senior; Varsity Sports Inc., Griffith IN
letter jackets for the next school year. Jackets typically take around six weeks to make, so the spring and summer seasons are popular for students to get their jackets, according to Varsity Sports Inc. in Griffith. Lettering policies vary between the different sports and clubs. Clubs like choir, band and theater have different style letters than the typical athletic letter to discern the two from each other. The question rises from some ath-
letes, like Patrick Marsh, senior, about why academics have Varsity jackets. “A letterman jacket is iconic of athletic success. And obviously academic clubs don’t share the same kind of success as athletes,” Marsh said. Students like Antoine Van Dyke, senior, who contribute just as much work to their academic extracurriculars as they do sports, feel that having a jacket for academic achievements is justified. “I feel like some of the clubs put in as much time and effort into it as they would in sports, so if they put in the work, they should by all means get the jacket,” Van Dyke said. Additional reporting by Chloe Wineinger
Follow us on Twitter: @MunsterMedia
Prom 11
Crier/April 21, 2016
Prom in the big apple Lauren Adams Who would your celebrity Prom date be? “Well, I am really into the Blackhawks, so Jonathan Toews, just because I really like him.”
Sammi Buvala How do you think being on Prom court would change your Prom experience? “I think that Prom court will make
senior Prom a lot of fun and will be a really cool experience with some of my friends.”
Amanda Forde If you could have your crown made out of anything, what would you choose? “Something that accessorizes with everything.”
Camille Jancosek
Prom court nominees share thoughts on being elected to court, prom theme “A Night in New York”
(from left to right) seniors Lauren Adams, Sammi Buvala, Amanda Forde, Camille Jancosek, Kelsie Kasper and Jill Ylo
out of anything, what would you choose? “I’d have to go with sterling silver with pure crystal diamonds because it’s just the traditional look.”
Kelsie Kasper How do you think being on Prom court would change your Prom experience?
especially with the girls who I’m with, we’re actually all friends and I love just being on it.”
Jill Ylo If you could have your crown made out of anything, what would you choose? “I feel like it would be really nice to have a food crown because I could eat it, and it wouldn’t go to waste.”
If you could have your crown made
“I think it would just make it more fun,
“I was so excited, and I would love the next chance to be the winner of Prom king, because I was on Turnabout court, and that was a great experience so I’m really excited for the opportunity to be back on the court.”
didn’t expect to be. So it’s kind of cool.” court will change your Prom experience and why? Daniel Cappo “It will make me excessively sweaty How do you think being on Prom and nervous for no reason.” court will change your Prom experience? Yiorgo Karnezis “I feel like I would have a little more attention on me during the dance, but Who would your celebrity Prom date be? that’s about it.” “Mr. Fortner, because (he) had my Arlo Detmer mother, Georgia, in class and we’re How do you think being on Prom BFFs.”
(from left to right) seniors Clay Arnold, Fred Beckman, Theo Burgwald, Daniel Cappo, Arlo Detmer and Yiorgo Karnezis
Clay Arnold How do you think being on Prom court will change your Prom experience? “It can make it a much more memorable night if I win, but also a much more memorable night if I lose.”
Fred Beckman What was your first thought when you heard you were nominated?
Theo Burgwald What was your first thought when you heard you got nominated? “I was definitely surprised because I
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12Prom
Crier/April 21, 2016
infographic by Crier staff; design by Meena Kandallu
BACKTALK
teacher edition
What is something you remember about the Prom that is pictured below? 2008
1974
1999
“It was a lot of fun. (My Prom) was at the Shedd Aquarium, and I went with my future husband. It’s really crazy that we went together and now we’re married. I’m glad we went.”
“I didn’t choose the color (of my suit). My date did. I’m amazed my date was ever that thin, and it was the worst hair period of my life. It was tragic.”
“This was before they did the Grande March, so we took pictures at Royce photography on Ridge Road before Prom. And I happened to marry my Prom date, so that’s kind of an interesting piece of information. We had been dating at least a year before our senior Prom.”
Mrs. Kathleen Gross, English teacher
Mr. Kevin Clyne, English teacher
Mrs. Katherine Harris, math teacher