MHS Crier | Issue 10 | 5.14.2021

THE ONE AND ONLY Halfway through Prom, Ari Arzurmanian, senior, began to DJ. The crowd went wild as Ari took over as the acting DJ. photo by anthony young

CRIER munster high school issue ten | volume 56 8808 columbia ave. munster in, 46321

lana salahieh

editor-in-chief

It was a rollercoaster of a year. This school year wasn’t afraid to shake us around, twisting and turning in all sorts of ways we didn’t see coming. Seniors have been on the ride for four years, and are preparing to disembark to newer journeys.

Sept 23, 2020: Just five days before Spirit Week, seniors put together their costumes. Taylor Olmstead meticulously gathered her materials and inspiration a full week beforehand, using things from Amazon, Pinterest and her brother’s clothes.

Taylor: “Surprisingly, my brother had a lot of random items I used over the week like a shirt for nerd day. My grandma went to 100 stores and got me stuff for Hawaiian day—she is such a G. All day I was amazed by the creativity of my fellow classmates. (Spirit Week) is a tradition that everyone should participate in before graduating.”

This year has seen many new things, like the introduction of Black Culture Club and Film Club, both founded by seniors.

Sarah Resch, co-founder of Film Club: “Our most significant day was our call out. I remember being super anxious that no one was going to (show up), but we had around 60 kids sign up at the call out. It gives me a lot of hope that the club will continue to thrive after Francis (Hovland) and I graduate.”

Jaelyn Williams, president of Black Culture Club: “I was excited to express how a lot of minority students at MHS feel.

So rarely is there a space for students to discuss issues they have with Munster without facing ridicule, especially when it comes to race. I felt like I gained the opportunity to be a voice this year.”

Many large gatherings that are a niche part of high school life were cancelled: Homecoming, Turnabout, and pep rallies. In light of this, Mr. Mike Wells, principal, asked Film Club to produce “hype” videos in place of pep rallies.

Sarah: “Our goal was to make kids feel involved and informed about what was going on in the school. Updates like these videos usually happen at the big pep rallies, but Covid cancelled all of that. So I was excited to give kids access to it and hopefully make the year feel a little more normal.”

Despite the struggles, exciting moments weren’t uncommon. The volleyball team won the State runner-up for the first time in MHS’s history.

Lulu Torres: “It was definitely the best way to end my senior experience on the volleyball team. Honestly, the atmosphere of playing in a college arena was such an amazing feeling. It was amazing to finally make it after we had come up short the last couple of years.”

Prom was not the night that seniors expected, but the one they will never forget.

Paul Maldonado: “I was joking with my friends that I couldn’t see anything going on the dance floor because of how short I am. Then I thought ‘Hey, it’d be pretty funny if they all lifted me up,’ and I just happened to time up with the chorus of the song that was playing, ‘We Are Young’ by Fun. As soon as I got lifted up in the air I was thinking ‘There’s no way this is actually happening right now.’ A lot of my friends described it as a ‘movie moment’ and I don’t think there’s a better phrase to use for that.”

It seems as if every moment, big or small, leads up to this: Graduation. Once they flip their tassels, their high school career ends.

Maureen Van Matre, vice president: “I am beyond proud of all of my classmates. We have all worked to the best of our ability these past 12 years, and all our hard work has finally paid off. I am extremely excited to see the amazing things everyone will accomplish. Our futures are bright.”

Coverage continues inside

photo by

sen

cali peter

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riley ram

photo by

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photo by zach tuc

photo by photo by

ecknie todd mck

ecknie todd mck

photo by

anthony

young

OUT OF THIS WORLD Dressing up for random costume day, Zach Beerling, Mariah Vasquez, Taylor Olmstead and Maddy Andrzejewski, seniors, take a photo in the west parking lot. STARTING IN THREE...TWO...

Posing for the Turnabout pep rally video, Francis Hovland and Sarah Resch, seniors, film themselves. “We have done a great job dealing with this year and still having fun,” Sarah said. SPEAKING OUT Discussing racial issues within our school system, Sydni Branch and Jaelyn Williams, seniors, are called upon to give their perspective while Mrs. Valarie Zematis, assistant principle, looks on. SET UP FOR SUCCESS Rejoycing as State runner-ups, Emily Banaszek and Lulu Torres, seniors, leave their final game proud. ABOVE ALL Getting lost in the excitement, Paul Maldanado, senior, is hoisted into the air at Prom. “It felt like for two hours we got a short break from everything that’s going on in the world,” Paul said.

2

opinion

munster high school crier — may 14, 2021

opinion by Mr. Michael Gordon

I

have always loved American history— the colorful stories, the diverse vantage points, the battle of ideas and ideologies, the interactions of flawed characters, the lessons extrapolated and oft-repeated. I like the ongoing search for greater truths and the complexity of defining who we are.

My favorite era to study is what John Adams referred to as the Critical Period. I define the term broadly, beginning with the conclusion of the French and Indian War and ending with the ratification of the Bill of Rights.

The years of 1768 to 1791 marked America’s turbulent adolescence.

Like teenagers we grew frustrated, rebelled, gained independence, grew more frustrated, experienced severe growing pains, had parties (albeit political) and got even more frustrated.

But, ultimately we were on our own and developed a government and identity that are uniquely American. However, as Lin Manuel Miranda’s King George reminds us, “it’s much harder when it’s on your call.”

Well, my seniors and soon to be graduates, welcome to your Critical Period. It has already begun. I have seen

your frustration and your growth as you (mostly, intelligently) argued points of view about every right imaginable through case law. I have seen your rebellion—a certain Monday after Prom, which I still disapprove of—and your growing pains—as you stress over the finances for next year’s exploits and resolve your end-of-the year responsibilities here at school.

Soon you will be saying your summer goodbyes and then your fall hellos— testing the waters of new jobs and collegiate rigor. You will be paying your

own bills, experiencing the trial and error of cooking, laundry and the other vagaries of adult life. Ultimately, in the next few years, one way or the other, you will gain and have thrust upon you—independence. As the American of the early republic could attest, it’s much harder when it’s on your call.

In front of you, I hope, is your own personal constitutional convention.

letter from the editor

T

cartoon by linda ramirez

CRI ER

here are 1,395 days, from the start of our freshman year to the day we graduate. There has been 428 days since the start of the pandemic to today. As the number of days until graduation grows closer and closer to being countable on our fingers, it’s not so easy to look back on our days and number them through rose-colored lenses.

It goes without saying that we have gone through a period in which no other before us has. There’s no telling how the pandemic, and all of the dominoes after, will affect the way we fall. There’s no model that allowed us to predict how physically and psychologically different we are now. But, that’s the thing—we all have changed, for better or worse.

Like everyone else I know, my life shifted the day we were sent home last March. I didn’t expect that in the 78 days of “spring

Crier, Munster High School’s official student newspaper, may be reached via mail at 8808 Columbia Ave, Munster, IN 46321; via phone at 219-836-3200, ext. 3443; or via fax at 219836-3202. Crier is published through the Honors Newspaper Advanced Writing and Editing classes and extra-curricular involvement. Crier’s official website is accessible at www. mhsnews.net.

•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, 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

You will need to decide who and how you will be. Will you take the quiet, behind-the-scenes scholarly approach of James Madison, the rushed intensity of Alexander Hamilton, or the reserved leadership of George Washington? Will you just feign leadership like Charles Pinckney, or fail to even show up like Patrick Henry?

During America’s Critical Period, the opinion by Framers wrote and the people ratified Shriya Iyer the United States Constitution—what will you create during yours? Go to Before I know it, my four years your own convention and make real of high school will be over in the

decisions about who and what you wish to be. Consider the challenges of the human condition and the impact that you can have on the world around you. Make it a priority to engage in meaningful and honest discourse, learn to listen, learn to act and learn to learn. I have always loved American history, and I look forward to your becoming a part of it.

break” I would come to miss the hustle of students pressed shoulder-to-shoulder in the hallways. I didn’t expect to miss the micro-sleep I’d unintentionally fall into during my second hour Algebra II class. I didn’t expect to miss the dozens of people I’d see every day around the school, not clad in a piece of fabric covering half of their faces.

With every new headline and every new text reading, “Hey, did you hear what happened?” it felt like another domino hurdling into freefall. Experiencing the constant changes through the eyes of both a senior and the Editor-in-Chief of Crier had me caught playing two conflicting roles. As a staff, Crier could not just look at our world’s changing climate as students—procrastinating homework meant procrastinating publishing the first draft of history.

Like all other hardships in history, our challenges had to be overcome with the efforts many The staff would like to give a special thank you to Ms. Lanman for guiding us during an unprecedented year, and working tirelessly to ensure we published a successful Crier every issue. We’d like to thank English teachers who agreed to keep our issues in their classrooms.

Finally, we’d like to thank students and faculty members for sharing their stories with us, commenting on our website and reading their Crier.

— Lana Salahieh, Editor in Chief

welcomed, but should be limited to 250 words. All letters must be signed and should be either emailed to the editor (lana.salahieh@gmail.com), 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.

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Our Staff

blink of an eye. Looking back, I have four insights I’d like to share that I believe will help you make the most of your time as a Mustang.

First, be unapologetically you. Don’t spend your time trying to live someone else’s life.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of following some fictional ideal of the perfect high school student, but there’s no such thing. We are all unique, and our high school experiences should be too.

Second, embrace change. As Charles Darwin stated, “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change.” This pandemic has revealed that our lives can change in a moment. Our high school experience expectations have been upended from virtual pep rallies to eLearning to a block schedule. Fortunately, being open-minded and flexible allows us to view any circumstance as a new opportunity.

Next, don’t overthink it. While it’s easy to dwell on past mistakes or a bad test grade, nothing is truly as big a deal as we make it out to seem. So trust me when I say that a single C doesn’t make you a failure.

Last but not least, get out of your comfort zone. Ask the hard questions, start a new club, try out for a sports team, or run for an officer position. Whatever it is, challenge yourself to break past your boundaries and self-imposed limits.

I want to thank my teachers, coaches, friends, and peers, as well as the entire MHS staff, for making my Mustang experience meaningful and memorable.

Copy Editor Alison Lee Design Editor Alexis Perez Page Editors Reena Alsakaji, Gage Hoekstra, Josephine Mittelberger, Janai Munoz, Linda Ramirez, Thomas Zangrilli Graphics Editors Henry Hofferth, Anthony Young Head Photographers Max Lindenmayer, Cali Petersen Chief Photographer Madi Green

Editor-in-Chief Lana Salahieh

Photographers Robert Brunetti, Bailee DeJarlais, Anna Evilsizor, Chris Perez

Managing Editor Atarah Israel

Adviser Ms. Sarah-Anne Lanman

prom

munster high school crier — may 14, 2021

3

After a school year of partial eLearning and restricted school activities, seniors enjoy Prom, a night of reunification and celebration.

Demetrios Fotopoulos, senior: “There was something homey and heartfelt about the parking lot Prom, especially having it between the middle school which we spent three years and at the high school, which we spent four years at. There was something very intimate about having that closeness.”

Taylor Olmstead, senior: “I feel like senior Prom is already such a special thing, but I feel like this year it’s more special because it was our senior banquet all together, and I haven’t seen some people since last March. I feel like that just makes it even more special because you’re just gonna be seeing people that you haven’t talked to or seen in forever. (You) just get to reconnect.”

Noah Poole, senior: “I think it’s special because it’s symbolic of everything we went through. Not everyone had the same experiences with this whole pandemic, but I think the one thing that we can all agree on is nothing has been normal. By having a Prom, even if it’s not normal, shows we’ve been able to become accepting of things, and more thankful for the things that we always took for granted before.”

atarah israel, alison lee

Mikey McDunn, senior: “I think being able to see everyone was why Prom was special. We haven’t been able to all be together in a really long time.

And, obviously, being able to talk to the seniors.

Graduation may not even be the same either. We’re still split up, so Prom was all there was.”

managing editor, copy editor

Two weeks ago, Prom court was announced and Ethan Buck, senior, was in for a surprise. As this year’s Prom King, the win was an unexpected victory for him and his friends.

Ethan Buck, senior: “It was kind of a surprise. The Monday of the voting a friend took a picture of me and just said, “Hey, we’re telling everyone to vote for you,” and I was like, ‘Okay.’”

Anna Speckhard, senior: “This whole year me and my friends have been trying to get Ethan Buck to be Prom king. We’ve had it in our minds, and then last week, the day that they opened up Prom voting, I was in Choir with Ethan. So, before school even started, I took a picture of him and me and I put it on my Snapchat story and was like, ‘Go vote for Ethan Buck!’ Within our Munster circle it went viral. I had a bunch of people screenshot my story and repost it.

That was a really fun time.”

Ethan: “(It feels) exciting. I didn’t think I would be.

I’d never thought I’d actually be voted for Prom King and such.”

Anna: “It’s kind of funny though because I actually went with Andrew Wittkamp (senior), and he was also on court, but he’s also part of the group that really wanted Ethan to win. I was like, ‘Hey bestie, so sorry, I’m gonna to vote for Ethan and not for you,’ and he was like, ‘That’s okay, I’m voting for Ethan, too.’”

Andrew Wittkamp: “We thought that he was just really deserving of it because of who he is as a person, and how he carries himself. Our friends thought was the most important at the end of the day—how how people treat each other.”

Anna Speckhard, senior: “I need everyone to make sure that they thank Ms. (Kristin) Szafasz (social studies teacher) and Mrs. (Valerie) Pflum (math teacher), because they spent so much time putting it all together, and it turned out so well. We have to make sure to thank them for their amazing job, all the teacher volunteers, and all the administrators who let it happen, because they deserve recognition for that.” photos by anthony young and cali petersen FUN IN FESTIVITIES First row left to right, Ari Arzumanian, senior, Dominick Reda, DJ, second row Waaniya Irfan, Carson Kekelik, Emma Phillips, Sydney Skrobot, Maureen Van Matre, Clara Zuniga, seniors, third row Luka Balac, Ethan Buck, Ethan Castillo, Demetrios Fotopoulos, Dane Hamilton, Andrew Wittkamp, seniors, fourth row Nana Nnuro-Frimpong, Ameer Igue, Anna Speckhard, seniors, fifth row Maureen Van Matre and Ethan Buck, seniors.

Maureen Van Matre, Prom Queen: “It’s significant for the senior class to have it this year because we missed out last year, and (were not) able to have a Homecoming or Turnabout this year. I think it’s just really special that we get to end the year on a high note when we’re reunited with classmates and peers that we haven’t been able to see in a while.”

And the award goes to...

Senior bests announced at Prom

Heart of Gold

Most Athletic

Ethan Buck Maureen Van Matre

Luka Balac Holly Kaim

Class Clown

Most Artistic

Dane Hamilton Maureen Van Matre

Muhammed Alam Kathryn Hemingway

Most Contagious Laughter Max Ladd Carson Kekelik

Best Musician Mihail Babus Mira Costello

Best Social Media Ari Arzumanian Genevieve Mrvan

Most Likely to Suceed

Cutest Couple

Alice Foley and Blake Marcotte

Best Bromance Jonathon Delis and Tyler Groen

Best Sistermance Madeline Andrzejewski and Mariah Vasquez

Brink Wolak Shriya Iyer

Most Likely to Win an Oscar Francis Hovland Sarah Resch

Most Likely to Have Their Own Reality Show Ari Arzumanian Megan Flynn

VICTORY IS OURS Tyler Groen, senior, facetimes Jonathan Delis, senior, with the support of Ethan Castillo, senior, to tell him that they won the award for Best Bromance. “I was pretty excited to say the least,” Tyler said.

4

future plans

munster high school crier — may 14, 2021

hello...

With planned majors and other paths in mind, seniors scatter all over the states, leaving the halls of MHS

Alabama

University of Alabama Tuscaloosa

Jackie Bevil - Political Science Kylie Reed - Public Relations Harper Swope - Public Relations

Arizona

Universal Technical Institute Avondale

Jarett Barrientez - Automobile Engineering

California

University of Southern California photo by francis hovland BOTANY PLANTS LATELY? During 8th hour Botany, Evan Wittkamp and Hannah Zukley, seniors, water plants. Typically, they go into the greenhouse everyday, to work with petunias, tomatoes, radishes and green onion.

Los Angeles

Cynthia Chockalingam - International Relations

UCLA Los Angeles Tyler Devenny - Biochemistry

Florida

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona

Leo Tsirtsis - Aeronautical Science

Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale

Mia Adamus - Biology

University of Miami Coral Gables

Kailyn Oganovich - Healthcare Management and Policy

Georgia

photo by lita cleary PAINT YOUR POISON The completion of the Emory University three year-old mural continues it’s progress as Atlanta Nhi Nguyen, junior, and Carmani Shedrich, seShriya Iyer -Biology nior, begin to paint the background. “I am simply too tall and too integral for the success of this project,” Carmani said.

Illinois

Augustana College Rock Island

Zach Blair - English and Creative Writing Carson Kekelik - Undecided

Aurora University Aurora

Lulu Torres - Athletic Training

Columbia College Chicago Chicago

Chris Perez - Film and Television Production

Dominican University

photo by simona terek River Forest PROGRESS UNPLANNED Though spontaneous, Uyai Abasi-Edet, Taylor Graham, and Aleena Ethan Orange - Business Management Mongerie, seniors, hold a callout for the Afri- Elmhurst University can-American Culture Club. “My friends and I Elmhurst spent days debating how we were going to conEthan Castillo - Biology duct it,” Uyai said. “But everything went out the window. We all just started talking. It wasn’t we Northwestern University expected, but it really worked out.”

Evanston Emma Phillips - Communications

Freshman year

Source: Google Forms survey of 159 students between April 28-May 6.

University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago

Aaron Gorny - Biochemistry

University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign Champaign Sydni Branch - Biology on Pre-Med Track

Indiana

Bradley Bieniak

Tyler Groen

Indianapolis

Eliana Candelaria - Biology Donovan Lambert - Media Arts & Science Connor Mitchell - Exercise Science Kayla Ziel - Radiology

Indiana University South Bend South Bend

Mira Costello - Social Work

Ivy Tech Indianapolis

Ball State University

Richard Bibbins - Physical Therapy

Muncie

Alyssa Lebron - Nursing Noah Poole - Organizational Psychology

Butler University

Gary

Colman Berg - Business Adminstration

East Chicago

Nabeen Neupane - Software Engineering

Indianapolis

Purdue Northwest

Taylor Olmstead - Pharmacy

Hammond

Indiana University Bloomington Bloomington

Mihail Babus - Percussion Performance Emily Banaszek - Exercise Science Maria Barron - Marketing Mark Caraher - Psychology Dori Clousing - Psychology David Cordova - Environmental Science Rachel Dawson - Animal Behavior or Biology on Pre-Med Track Mikey Dempsey - Biology or Chemistry Megan Flynn - Biology Abbey Gorny - Game Design / Digital Art Noah Hensley - Marketing Joanne Hwang - Neuroscience Ameer Igue - Neuroscience Savannah Kunas - Nursing Sam Latinovich - Finance, Health Science Jeremiah Lovett - Human Biology Molly Manion - History Emma Powell - Biology Emily Rakich - Sports Marketing and Management Sarah Resch - Audio Engineering Lana Salahieh - Neuroscience Srishti Sarkar - Business Emily Shu - Undecided Vanessa Situ - Biology Evan Stevens - Business Hailey Sullivan - Speech Hearing and Sciences Mia Terek - Environmental Management Irene Tsakopoulos - Human Biology MaKaila Vinson - Pre-Med Andrew Wittkamp - Biochemistry Evan Wittkamp - Sports Marketing and Management Brink Wolak - Finance

Indiana University Northwest Gary

Luka Balac - Finance Mathew Larrison - Criminal Justice and Psychology Junaid Siddiqui - Biology Safaa Tarakey - Psychology

“When Yianni Delis (senior) and I “Playing the Sheriff of Nottingham in the Trials of Robin Hood. It was my first theatre combined to score a lethal 137 goals in gym floor hockey freshmen year.” production ever, and I had a lead role.”

IUPUI

Bradley Bieniak - Broadcasting and Advertising Lauren Blocher - Nursing Jack Burian - Marketing Joshua Cala - Computer Science Lucas Dalla Costa - Mechanical Engineering Elise Fedrick - Elementary Education Anna Flynn - History Julia Garcia - Elementary Education Nikolina Marceta - Nursing Grace Mulcrone - Nursing Prisilla Ortiz - Business Sofia Pavlic - Behavioral Sciences Wesley Roe - Computer Science Isaiah Rosinski - Computer Science Selma Srour - Health Science Mackenzie Stricklin - Early Elementary Education Hannah Zukley - Nursing

Purdue University West Lafayette

Halle Asplund - Undecided Hannah Bard - Health Sciences Olivia Candelaria - Criminology and Psychology Carina Crisan - Neurobiology and Physiology Luigi David - Aeronautical/Astronautical Engineering Uyai-Abasi Edet - Biology Pre-Med and Business Management Mahsa Farahani - Neurobiology and Physiology on Pre-Med track Sophia Farias - Aerospace Engineering Priscilla Gallardo - Genetics Eric Harvath - Finance Kathryn Hemingway - Interior Design Holly Kaim - Chemistry Anastasia Kapustina - Biomedical Engineering Ubin Kim - Computer Information Technology Paul Maldonado Jr. - Exploratory Studies Michael McDunn - Mechanical Engineering Technology Todd McKechnie - Mechanical Engineering Claire Nowak - Chemistry

third place at Sophomore “Getting nationals in Florida for Dance.” year Clara Zuniga

“Getting my license and being able to drive to school.”

Logan Gomez

Junio year

or

future plans

munster high school crier — may 14, 2021 Juan Olivencia - Computer Engineering Dane van Ghunt - Animal Science Maureen Van Matre - Biochemistry Cynthia Vazquez - Biology Rayhan Zaman - Computer Engineering Fenry Zhou - Computer Science

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Michigan

Virginia

Marquette

Hampton

Northern Michigan University Niko Lekic - Medicinal Plant Chemistry

Oakland Univerity Rohester Hills Sarah Sanchez - Japanese Language and ROTC

Terre Haute

Rebecca Jones - Civil Engineering

Saint Mary’s College Notre Dame

Jaida Beasley - Civil Engineering Demetrios Fotopoulos - Psychology Stephen Heritage - Chemistry Emma Herring - Mechanical Engineering

Tricoci University Highland

Hampton University Parkyr Guiton - Nursing Jaelyn Williams - Political Science

The George Washington University Washington D.C.

University of Michigan

Emily Guerrero - Public Health

Ann Arbor

Washington

Maya Kenny - Economics

Michigan State University East Lansing

Catherine Clements - Philosophy

Minnesota

West Virginia

Minneapolis

Salem

Valparaiso University

Aubrey Chelich - Architecture

Aleena Mongerie - Nursing

Valparaiso

Missouri

Wisconsin

St. Louis

Beloit

Salem University

Richard Ballentine - Philosophy, Political Science, and Economics

Iowa

New York

Louisiana

New York City

New York University

Ohio Northern University Ada

Boston University Williams College

Ava Quasney - Geology and Computer Science

— Gavin Kinsella senior

“‘Teenage Dream’

by Katy Perry.”

“‘10/10’ by Rex Orange County.”

Gap year and Future Collegew

Southern Methodist University

Williamstown

— Hector Gomez senior

Amber Payne - Army Aubrey Rivera - Army

Texas

Ava Lukacsek - Anthropology

Other Military

Peyton Specht - Civil Engineering

Boston

“‘Pursuit of Happiness’ by Kid Cudi.”

Work Force

Ohio

Massachusetts

“‘I’m Still Standing’ by Elton John.”

Milwaukee Waaniya Irfan - Biomedical Sciences

Francis Hovland - Film and Television Richard Ma - Undecided

Ashley Nita - Marketing and Finance

Lance Dabrowski - Electrical Andrew Gajewski - Automotive Technology Logan Gomez - Welding, Electrical or Mechanic Career Quinn Hasse - Food, Special Education, or Nursing Gabriel Hoekstra - Welding

Marquette University

Karl Larson - Cybersecurity Engineering Eddie Ortiz - Biology

New Orleans

— Anabelle Hauter senior

Nebraska Omaha

Tulane University

— Curtis Dennis senior

Zach Beerling - Computer Science

Clarisa Cortez - Nursing

Iowa City

“‘Teen Angst’ by M83.”

Nadia Perdue - Undecided

Creighton University

University of Iowa

“‘Good Times’ by Chic.”

Beloit College

Washington University

Crawfordsville

If you could choose a song to describe your high school career, what would it be?

Seattle

Jordan Duff - Nursing

Melanie Riordan - Cosmetology Claudia Hernandez - Esthetics

Wabash College

BACKTALK

University of Washington

University of Minnesota

Savannah Frazier - Psychology Anna Speckhard - Health Science

5

Dallas

Sydney Skrobot - Finance and Psychology

Students choose their future paths

Hunter Crowley - Undecided Ian Horn - Purdue University Northwest Genevieve Mrvan - Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising Olivia Quinones - Columbia College Chicago

Seniors go into a variety of different fields, ranging from STEM to human services.

Arts, Technology, and Communications

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math

9%

3% Undecided

?

— Nikolina Marceta senior

— Grace Mulcrone senior

“‘Life Goes On’ by Bryce Vine.”

“‘Crazy’ by Gnarls Barkley.”

<1%

Human Services

8% 1%

33%

1%

Marketing, Sales and Service

4%

major in 4% ofthisseniors field.

of seniors major in this field.

Education and Training

2%

of seniors major in this field.

Transportation, distribution and logistics

of seniors major in this field.

of seniors major in this field.

5%

Finance

Law, Public Safety, and Security

Government and Public Administration

<1%

Between Two Majors

Architecture and Construction

Other

“The mosh pit we had in the hallways on March 13 when it was announced we got four weeks off.”

Megan Flynn

18%

3%

of seniors major in this field.

“Boys’ basketball winning sectionals in 2019.”

Dane Hamilton

— Peyton Specht senior

Health Science

Business Management

8%

— Kailyn Oganovich senior

Senior year

of seniors major in this field.

“Decision day - it really made me “80s workout day on the realize how much we’ve all grown footballfield.”

Kylie Reed and accomplished together.”

Sydney Skrobot

“‘Good Old Days’

by Macklemore.”

“‘Memories’ by David Guetta.”

— Abi Steffen senior

— Derrick Wiening senior

6

news

munster high school crier — may 14, 2021

Making their song heard

Music classes prepare for end of year performances atarah israel and josephine mittelberger

managing editor, page editor The song was just not working. It was the February before Band had shut down due to the COVID-19 outbreak, and Madison Bevil, junior, was rehearsing a Mozart concerto on her clarinet in preparation for their state competition. As her last normal competition prior to the nationwide standstill, she still remembers the painstaking process of learning the piece.

“It was for Winter Ensemble, and I was going to state and I was very frustrated,” Maddie said. “(When I finally got it) it was a weight off my shoulders. I didn’t feel that pressure anymore, especially when I went to state and I got that gold.”

Unlike last year, Maddie does not have a state competition to prepare for. With last year cut short and this year yielding no competition season, she has her focus on the upcoming Concert Band performance May 22 at Centennial Park.

“I am looking forward to it, just because we haven’t been able to do anything with the concert season,” Maddie said. “It’s like our last hurrah as a group, especially for the seniors. We don’t have after school rehearsals like the previous years. We would

SUMMER READING COMES TO AN END

normally be going to qualifiers, regionals or state.

We don’t have that this year, so this concert is the only thing we get.”

Band is not the only music based extracurricular partaking in more end-of-the-year activities after experiencing a season of COVID-19 restrictions.

Members of Jazz Band and Winter Percussion had a concert earlier this week on Tuesday. Yesterday, Orchestra held their first live performance of the year, and today Choir has released its first ever album, “Through the Valley.”

To make the album, the process of song recording

standard, according to the state of Indiana,” Mr. Barnes said. “It is a skill that we still need to cover. We are planning on a way to add in more independent reading to the English curriculum, but for now, what we know for sure is that summer reading is not happening anymore.”

Looking forward to the future, the department plans to make more changes regarding the material that is being read in classes.

“We are planning on getting new novels for the 2022-2023 school year,” Mr. Barnes said. “These will have more diverse authorship. The English teachers did a lot of researching to find new books, but with the pandemic, we weren’t able to get them for this year. When we do order these new books, we want to make some of them for independent reading to meet Indiana’s state standards.”

New Student Body President Some ideas Anushka and Jonny and Vice President have prepared for next year include Two weeks ago, Anushka Majety and Jonny BrysonHarvey, juniors, were officially announced the student body president and vice president.

While it may be open to opportunity, it bears much responsibility.

“Hearing our names announced was a very blissful feeling, but everything also became very real. Anushka and I knew that we had a lot of work to do,” Jonny said.

Corrections

students voting for Homecoming announcements and themes holidays different g acknowledgin of cultures the by celebrated our diverse student body in an attempt to better integrate the school culturally. super a had “We that year al unconvention back step a take to us allowed and see what can we do better now that we’re coming back to normal,” Anushka said.

In Issue 9 of Crier, Hayden Stanley should be attributed as a junior in the theatre caption on page 2. On page 8, the photos should be attributed to Chris Perez, senior. On page 9, Evanthia Fotopoulos was misspelled. Crier regrets these errors.

Leaving with an impact Dr. Stokes will become Hamilton Southeastern school district superintendent reena alsakaji page editor

photo by zach tucker SPREADING CHANGE At the first community Minority Meeting, Dr. Yvonne Stokes, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, leads a conversation, “The willingness of our staff, students and community members to have some of those courageous and difficult conversations around race and equity has impacted me the most,” she said.

was a foreign experience for some choir members, and much of the editing was done by Mr. Luke McGinnis, choir director.

“It can be really frustrating having to sing by yourself and recording again and again,” Jane Potter, junior, said. “It’s nothing like a live performance, but I’m still glad that I have that experience.”

Despite the adverse circumstances of this year, Band, Choir and Orchestra members have learned to adapt to the ever-changing challenges of COVID-19 regulations.

“I’ve gotten better as a violinist and can’t wait for next year,” Gabriela Ruiz, sophomore said.

Four years ago, Dr. Yvonne Stokes, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, walked into Central Office, eager to get started on her work. Now, she says farewell to the school system she has made her home and works towards building a new career as superintendent of the Hamilton Southeastern School District.

Supplying students with opportunities has been one of her biggest passions. In October, she attended the first Minority Committee Meeting, her message

sidenote

Beginning the 2021-2022 school year, the English Department has decided that they will end summer reading for all students.

“There are better practices of having students do independent reading rather than giving them a test from a book they read over the summer,” Mr. Thomas Barnes, English Department Chair, said. “Some of the test results were very poor, so a lot of the kids were beginning the year with low grades.”

Since summer reading was cancelled last year because of quarantine, it gave the department insight as to how cancelling it would impact students’ learning.

“Independent reading is still a

photo by chris perez ALL THAT JAZZ During class, Mr. Ian Marcusiu, Assistant Band Director, instructs Payton Wujek, freshman, how to play a segment for their upcoming concert May 22. “It is very important for a performance based class like band to have performance opportunities,” Mr. Marcusiu said.

ringing out to the attendees.

“The saddest thing that can ever happen to a child is for them to spend 13 years of their life going to a school system, and they’re invisible,” Dr. Stokes said.

Of the months of working with different students and high ability placement courses, one of the biggest impacts Munster has had on her surrounded the conversation of battling racism.

“Oftentimes, you see the same scenario being played out,’’ Dr. Stokes said. “You’ll see your Asian and Caucasian students performing at the top, and then our Black and brown students are battling for the bottom. It has been so rewarding that (here), we’ve had little to no pushback in terms of working together.”

Growing up, Dr. Stokes was raised with kindness instilled in her. Her mother took in foster children, and her stepmother taught students with special needs. Moving between these two households, it was only natural for Dr. Stokes to support all students.

“My life history has prepared me for such a time as this,” Dr. Stokes said. “I (often) use the expression ‘you don’t always want to be the bridesmaid, (sometimes) you want to be the bride.’ (For me, that) is being the superintendent.”

munster high school crier — May. 14, 2021

sports

7

Seniors’ final

Athletes support their seniors through their last season “I told all my friends right from the beginning that I loved the energy and positivity that the seniors bring.

They are the absolute heart and soul of the team. Whether it’s rallying all of us together to get hype before a game or simply making jokes during practice, they are definitely amazing and lovable young women, and the team won’t be the same without them next year.”

Anagha Kodukula, sophomore

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Track & Field “I’m gonna miss all of it—the bus rides, the stretching before the events, cheering everyone on during it, coming back after a race and everyone saying ‘good job,’ and even at the end was when no one wants to stretch or cool down. I’m going to miss it all for sure.”

Megan Flynn, senior

“I’ve been playing sports for a long time and knowing that after this season I will be done competitively has made this season a little more meaningful. On the other hand, I’m excited to start a new stage in my life and can’t wait to see where the program goes in the future.”

Holly Kaim, senior

Holly Kaim, senior photo by chris perez

“It’s bittersweet. I love that they are seniors and how comfortable they feel leading this team and I couldn’t have asked for a better group, but I’m very sad. They contributed to the team more than we can imagine and I’d be losing eight great people who helped make my high school experience.”

Charlize Lorenz, sophomore

Baseball

“What I am going to miss most about the seniors are the jokes and appearances. We all mess with each other and put a lot of pressure out to make competition. The seniors like to dress up in the craziest outfits and put on a presentation.”

Blake Siurek, junior

“My favorite memory in baseball was beating Lake Central in the regular season. The whole team was so excited to pull out that win and the energy was electric. I loved being out there the whole game. I love this team and Mustangs more than anything else. This team is a family and they’re all my brothers.”

Ben Greiner, senior

“I’m honestly just going to miss the after school practices. Free golf with your friends everyday after school was just something I always look forward to and will miss.”

Max Ladd, senior

Ben Greiner, senior

Boys’ Golf

“I’m going to really miss this, not only on the track, but off the track too. The coaches definitely make practice way better. They are experienced which helps the team out a lot not only mentally but physically.”

Varrick Allen, junior

Megan Flynn, senior

photo by cali petersen

Pictured Max Ladd

photo by ari brunetti

“As a teammate, I first want to say thank you ( to all the seniors) for everything you guys have done for this program and this team. We had a lot of success this year and enjoyed every moment of it. I know myself and lots of other players will miss having the seniors in the dugout. As a friend, I want to thank you guys for all the memories on and off the field throughout the years. I wish you guys nothing but the best in baseball and in the future. I hope we still stay in touch long after the season is over.”

Jake Thometz, junior

photo by todd mckechnie

Congratulations 2021 senior graduates!

Recycle your Crier

when you are done reading

Softball

photo by ari brunetti

alison lee, alexis perez

Girls’ Tennis

Addy Klawitter, senior

“I’m looking forward to just enjoying my senior year. I’m just enjoying competing again, playing different schools and all of that so I really just want to take in my last season and enjoy it the best that I can.”

Addy Klawitter, senior

stretch

SINCE 1948

215 Ridge Rd, Munster, IN 46321 (219) 836-6233

8

student life

Students discuss the difference between being ANTI-RACIST and NON-RACIST lana salahieh

editor-in-chief

To those who haven’t experienced racism, the Black Lives Matter movement was nothing more than a month-long period of Instagram posts and letting others know, “I’m not racist.” To those who have experienced racism their entire lives, the Black Lives Matter movement was a movement that highlighted a portion of the deep-rooted discrimination they had dealt with for decades. “(‘Non-racist’ and ‘anti-racist’) are very different,” Shivani Collur, senior, said. “Being ‘non-racist’ is essentially just saying that you are not racist. Being ‘anti-racist’ is when you go out of your way to show support and solidarity for the BLM or Protect Asian Lives Movement.”

Nearly a year ago, students gathered in the auditorium parking lot, equipped with masks, water bottles, and large poster boards decked out with messages and slogans, a large desire to show their solidarity for the BLM movement. Ashton Rivera, senior, was in this crowd.

“I saw people there (that) I wasn’t expecting to see,” Ashton said. “(It was) solely because I had never really heard them talk about issues like racism before, but I was pleasantly surprised by the outcome of people that came out to protest despite our town being not that diverse.”

Despite the amount of support that was seen last summer, much of it has died down. According to Google Trends, Google searches for the phrase “Black lives matter” peaked from May 31 to June 6 of last year, and has been unmatched at that level since.

But issues such as police brutality and systemic racism were in existence long before BLM started, and they haven’t disappeared since the movement died down.

“BLM became a bit of a trend. It is not receiving the same attention it still deserves,” Ashton said.

“The issues that the BLM protests were about are still very present and still need to be talked about and dealt with, but the spread of information and resources really died down after a while.”

Many have begun to re-examine their role in the movement. Between #blackouttuesday, where Instagram users responded to the uproar by posting a singular black square, to call-out posts relating the frustrating lack of accountability and actual helpful action, there has been much conflict on how much people should contribute. Performative activism has been a heated topic disputed at length as more and more people began to post on social media, with a large distinction between the screen of technology

munster high school crier — may. 14, 2021

and genuine, impactful advocacy.

“I think performative activism can be taken in different ways, like people who did the black square,” Jonathan Bryson-Harvey, junior, said. “I know there are a lot of people who think (that) by just posting a black square, they’re done and that it really made a difference. Then there’s people who go above and beyond linking GoFundMe’s, attending these protests, and they’re actually actively making a difference.”

By identifying internal intentions and targeting personal prejudices, change can begin to happen as a society. To begin, the distinction must be spread involving what truly details simply being “not racist” compared to fighting racism.

“When I hear non-racist, I think of somebody who is passively accepting to all races,” Jonathan said.

“I think somebody who is non-racist doesn’t discriminate, but is also not willing to take action on those who do discriminate. An anti-racist person is somebody who actively works to change the ideologies of those who are racist in the world to make people aware of injustice to actually make a change.

The difference is definitely taking action in those terms. There’s a lot of people who have malicious intentions, and a lot of people who aren’t aware of that. If people will try to change, they are definitely more respectable, in my opinion.”

In the fight to end social injustice, there is no shortage of ways that someone can contribute to making a difference. Admitting that racism exists and actively spending time to educate oneself goes miles compared to performative activism, according to Shivani.

“Donating to anti-racist foundations like the BLM movement can be helpful,” Shivani said, “but it is understandable that not a lot of us in high school make our own money to do that. However, we can continue to do anything we can to help our fellow people of color, like check up on them every now and then. I believe people have become a bit more aware on sensitive topics such as racism and many have become educated. People have begun to understand the importance of these topics and how harmful stereotypes and derogatory terms can be towards different groups of people.”

Activism doesn’t end with a quick Instagram post. The most impactful way to change institutional racism is to re-educate oneself. Looking into how harmful stereotypes affect POC and understanding that racism goes further than what students learn in school both hold substantial value. People that have not directly felt racism cannot speak for those that have, but they can educate themselves to understand what it truly is.

“If you really want to make a difference, the best thing for you to do is to educate yourself,” Jonathan said. “You need to do research, (on topics like) how communities are really struggling. It’s important to acknowledge that racism does exist, and people are underprivileged because of their color. That will show you that this is a real thing. It’s not something that a black square will necessarily get rid of completely. It’s on you, it’s on the message that you spread, and as you carry throughout your life.”

YOUR VOICE

VOICE

POWER HAS

Attributes of an ANTI-RACIST

The core traits of an antiracist are explained in Ibram X. Kendi’s book “How to Be an Antiracist”

1. Stop saying, “I am not racist.”

2. Admit racism exists.

3. Understand where you get information about racism.

4. Own your definition of antiracism.

5. Act, work to change policy,

donate time and money to activities that try to change racist policies and structures.

6. Don’t be fooled into believing

misleading statistics or data blaming people for racial inequality.

7. Be

proud of your antiracist power struggles and advocacy.

8. Be an anti-racist in the face of other racial bigotries.

source: “How to Be an Antiracist”, by Ibram X. Kendi