MHS Crier | Issue 5 | 11.19.19

issue five volume 54

CRIER

munster high school

8808 Columbia Ave. Munster, IN 46321

Nov. 19 , 2019

Rallying together for a change Alexis Lindenmayer and Lilia Brunetti Editor-in-Chief and Design Editor

Today, thousands of teachers from districts all across Indiana are rallying at the Indianapolis statehouse to fight for a better school environment for both educators and students. The event is called “Red for Ed Action Day” and will focus on investing more in teacher compensation, repeal the Professional Growth Points/Externship requirements and make ILEARN (a newly introduced Hoosier standardized test) harmless to students and teachers.

Right next door, Illinois teachers are consistently going on strikes to protest for higher wages and all around better work conditions. Just a few weeks ago, Chicago teachers ended their 11-day strike — making it the longest in decades. The strike resulted in some successes: reducing class sizes, an increase in social workers, nurses and librarians, and approved a 16 percent salary increase over the next five years.

These social events contrast what goes on in Indiana. According to Indiana law, striking is illegal for all public employees, including teachers. If this is the case, what actually can be done?

“It’s great that a large number of teachers are going to fight this issue that is statewide,” said Mr. Tom Barnes, English Department Chair and Munster’s Teachers Association Vice President. “There are issues in school districts that are because of the school district, but really, we get our money from the state. The heart of all of the issues in education comes from the state itself. We’ve seen success in other states, where teachers have gone together to the state building and there have been some results.”

read more on page 2

photo by Lana Salahieh

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Munster High School Crier

Nov. 19, 2019

SIDENOTE

On to big things

Speech heads to Glenbrooks for a national tournament

Publications heads to Nationals in D.C. tomorrow Atarah Israel Copy Editor

With over 50 years worth of national awards already under their belt, student publications heads to the JEA/ NSPA National High School Journalism Convention. Traveling across the country to Washington, D.C., members of both Crier and Paragon are prepared to leave Wednesday morning and return Sunday. Once there, staffers will be able to meet other student publication members and take part in a variety of informational sessions led by prominent journalistic figures. The national convention is an opportunity to meet like-minded peers and receive criticism from role models.

“It’s especially fun to get to take the students to a place like Nationals,” said Ms. Sarah-Anne Lanman, publications adviser, “because sometimes it seems like we’re all alone, working late and getting these deadlines down, but it’s really a big community that’s happening across the nation.”

A focal point of each national convention is the guest keynote speaker.

Typically one guest lecturer of journalistic success is invited to address the attendees each year in a heavily anticipated speech. This year, staffers are eager to hear Chuck Todd, moderator of NBC’s Meet the Press (MTP) and host of MTP Daily on MSNBC. “I’m very excited to see Chuck Todd,” Demetrios Fotopoulos, junior and editor-in-chief of Paragon, said. “I’m a big fan. He works on NBC, which I really like. If I could steal any job from anyone in the world, I would steal his job.”

Another key aspect of the convention is the award ceremony, in which high school students across the coun-

photo by Lauren Morris

WHAT’S THE SCOOP? After school last Wednesday, Lucy Torres, senior, and Vanessa Situ, junior, work on editing a cross country picture. While only twelve staff members will attend the Nationals trip to D.C., the rest of the staff must continue to work. “Yearbook has a lot of new staff members this year,” Vanesssa said. “As second year staff member, I answer a lot of their questions on photos.”

try can be recognized for their work in rience. Returning or new, their trip to categories such as Feature Writing or D.C. will be one to remember for a mulSports Action photography. Awards are titude of reasons. also given to the publi“I think for me, bePlanning the days cation as a whole. cause I’ve been to so “I am so passion- Activity schedule for D.C. many of them, I’m so ate about journalism Wednesday Arrive used to it being exciting and the Crier, so I am and getting to see my Newseum tour Walk the Mall thrilled to get an opfriends from across the portunity to particination,” Ms. Lanman Capitol Building Thursday pate in it on a national White House tour said. “But I think it’s Keynote speaker: scale,” Alexis Lindenreally big for some stuChuck Todd mayer, senior and eddents when they realize Friday itor-in-chief of Crier, there really is this big Convention said. “I’m also a bit community. Also, it’s Saturday Convention nervous though, befun just to be able to go Awards cause I signed up for an Celebration dinner somewhere that’s not editorial writing comMunster High School Sunday Awards petition. I do not know and still learn. My stuReturn what to expect, but Source: Ms. Sarah-Anne Lanman dents are professional hopefully I can gain a learning experi- journalists who make final content deence and skills for the future.” cisions on everything that is published.

For some of the publications staff, I’m so happy that they are able to go this year’s convention is one of many, to convention to get even more expewhile for others this is their first expe- rience.”

Rallying together for a change Continued from front

stand behind the educators of Munster.

While Munster teachers have re- There are over one hundred teachers cently received pay raises locally, ed- from the elementary schools, middle ucation funding from the state is still school, and high school.

Chris Canul, junior, has his eyes on at a minimum. pursuing a career in high school EnMunster is one of few that has not glish education.

He credits this revelacalled off classes today. Over a huntion to Mr. Steven Stepnoski, his previdred Indiana school districts are canous English 10 teacher. celing class or moving to an E-learning “I want to be able to give back to the day for the rally. This morning, teachpassion that other teachers staged a “walk-in.” Before school, teachers from Near and dear ers have given me,” Chris all over the district were Map of NWI school districts said. “(Teachers rallying for better work conditions) to meet in front of their that have cancelled is definitely justified berespective building and cause teachers work a much walk in together to suptougher job than other peoport the people in Indiaple, who would potentially napolis without actually get paid more. So, I think being there. Teachers and Cancelled districts of that they’re completestudents are also wearing Lake County: ly within their right to do red in awareness.

- Griffith Public Schools Lake Ridge Schools that.”

Although school dis- School CIty of Hammond Ashley Wills, senior, tricts are calling off, this - River Forest Community hopes to go into Early Schools does not necessarily - School City of East Chicago Childhood Education. confirm their support of - School City of Whiting “What motives me to be a teachers rallying togeth- - School Town of Highland Source: IndyStar teacher is that I can step up er. Instead, this may mean and help children learn new informathat too many teachers have called off to continue the school day. This is not tion that they do not know yet,” Ashley the case for Munster, as not enough said. “It’s so cool to see a child be exteachers have called off, according to cited to learn, especially if it is something new. I taught a Preschooler how Mr. Barnes.

Munster’s Teacher Association, or to play hopscotch recently and when I MTA, is an organization of teaching get to St. Paul’s after school, they are professionals that helps support and playing it every day.”

Despite students like Chris and Ashley wishing to pursue a career in education, the teaching profession has been diminished over the years.

“There will need to be some changes to things like retirement benefits, and pay needs to increase. We are not seeing new teachers coming out of universities in our state. In fact, some universities have been shutting down education departments because there are not enough students,” Mr. Barnes said. “The scariest thing, more than anything, is we don’t have the applicants like we used to. We used to have a job opening and there’d be 100 applicants or more, now we have like six.”

In fact, most applicants are older and more experienced, meaning their salaries must be higher. This puts a higher “price tag” on new teachers for the district, according to Mr. Barnes.

Teachers are the ones who prepare future generations for the future.

“I hope my students know that I really care about them. I really care about being here. I love what I do, but not seeing an improvement in my financial status, even a small amount, can be really deflating.” Mr. Barnes said.

“Sometimes being intrinsic can only take you so far. I’ve seen a lot of really good teachers leave because they were upset about not seeing growth in this career. I think anybody in any career wants to feel that loyalty and doing a good job is rewarded.”

Beginning their season, the Speech team prepares to compete in a meet at Glenbrooks High School this Saturday.

“The senior class has always been a very dedicated group to speech,” Noel Fary, senior, said. “From the beginning, we’ve had multiple people who have been doing this for all four years of high school. So we have a lot of leadership on the team this year and a lot of people helping out the younger Varsity members, and it’s much more of a team dynamic this year.”

A new component to Speech is the team’s involvement in the Calumet Forensics League.

“It (Calumet Forensics League) is where smaller high schools that don’t really have the numbers to compete at the larger tournaments have an opportunity to practice speech and debate in their schools,” Noel said.

“It gives a lot more kids the opportunity to try it out and spread their voice.”

From Munster, novices will go to compete while Varsity and travel team members will go and judge the performances.

photo by Lana Salahieh

PIECE OF MIND Practicing for their tournament at Wheaton High School, Mackenzie Stricklin and Emma Powell, juniors, rehearse after school in a practice room.

“It’s really cool that a bunch of these really different people can come together for this mutual thing,” Mackenzie said. “There are so many people from band, sports, choir, and theater—it’s just a really diverse group of people, and everyone clicks really well.”

Band places top five at state

After performing at State and placing fourth for the third year in a row, the Munster Marching Band is content with their placement for this year, according to Bradley Jimenez, senior.

“At the end of the day, it’s the experience that matters,” Bradley said.

Nevertheless, students like Bradley agree that there will always be room for improvement in the future.

“Honestly, the last run was really grand,” Bradley Jimenez said, “There’s no such thing as perfection, but we were close.”

As a senior, this was Bradley’s last season, and he looks back positively at how well it turned out.

“It was the most fun and exciting season,” Bradley said. “I couldn’t have asked to go out on a better note.”

Corrections

In issue 5 of Crier, question 7 of the quiz on page 6 should say “Monster House”. Delany McGinty’s name on page 9 was misspelled. On page 10, the quote in the Girls’ Cross Country recap should be attributed to Alyssa Nahnsen. Crier regrets these errors.

Nov. 19, 2019

Munster High School Crier

We only get half of the story

3o p i n i o n

opinion by Atarah Israel

Eliciting warm images of family, gratitude and endless meals, Thanksgiving is easily the most American holiday known today, besides the Fourth of July — maybe. In the midst of all the Thanksgiving and pre-holiday excitement that it incites, however, the truth surrounding Thanksgiving lore is often overlooked and ignored. Succumbing to years of celebrations and traditions that have come and gone, the true history behind this day is forgotten. Common misconceptions about the holiday are even preached in textbooks.

To reference a recent New York Times article, almost all the commonly accepted “facts” about Thanksgiving are wrong. Not only is the timeline used to describe the historic event almost wholly speculative and inaccurate, but there is little proof of actual Native peoples being invited to the harvest celebration.

For a day celebrated for representing togetherness and harmony, little peace is actually found in its history.

In contrast to common belief, Squanto, a Native American recognized for assisting in the early settlement of Plymouth pilgrims, did not help American colonists out of the kindness of his heart. In actuality, he was an Englishman’s slave and interpreter.

The history surrounding Squanto is only a minor reflection of the widespread mistreatment of Native Americans during that time period. Whereas Thanksgiving may be a day of joy for most of the nation, for select few it can be yearly reminder of what was brutally taken from them.

In addition to the shady past regarding Thanksgiving, the current condition of its purity in our society today is waning. Like most holidays in recent history, the supposed genuine sentiments and values backing the day are taken advantage of by markets eager to make a profit. With the constant gimmicky advertisements introduced by companies in order to exploit what should be valued family-anchored ideals, Thanksgiving is tainted with greed.

If some industries had things their way, their barrages of publicity stunts would reduce the day to goofy punchlines about food-induced comas.

With its roots embedded in false assumptions and hurtful stereotypes of indigenous groups, Thanksgiving should be a time of remembrance of both the good and bad.

CRIER

cartoon by Mercedez Williams

“We can’t hire you because this ‘Ok Boomer’ meme you posted in high school is offensive.”

Editorial

Accountable to an extent If there is one thing that is consistent between all generations, teenagers are immature. Being young and juvenile can lead to reckless decisions which leads to even more reckless behavior.

This by no means is something that we should be ashamed of. After all, we learn and grow from our mistakes as mature into adults.

However, due to social media, our silly, mistakes will stay with us. Remember that time you and your friends decided to go egging houses in the neighborhood? Well, turns out one of your buddies was recording it on his phone. Not only that, he posted it to his Snapchat story, making everyone aware of what happened. Or that passive aggressive message you tweeted, not thinking of the consequences.

It was screenshotted by your peers and probably became a hot topic of discussion in a few group chats. We have to deal with an issue that no generation of teenagers has had to face before. Our foolishness is documented and unfortunately can affect our future.

The Internet and what we post is forever.

Just because you delete something does not mean that it is gone. It has become a part of your digital footprint, and therefore attainable to find. Future jobs can dig up your past inappropriate jokes and use that as a reason to not hire you. Colleges can do the same and deny you scholarships or even flat out reject your application.

So how do we fix this? The simpler answer is to be cautious of what you put online. Evaluate

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.

•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 welcomed, but should be limited to 250 words. All letters

whether those tweets, likes, and upvotes are really worth it and think twice before you click post. However, today’s circumstances prove to be more complicated than that. You can be so careful about your social media presence, and make one mistake that ruins your entire reputation. Because at the core of it, sometimes we don’t know. We may think that posting this is fine one day, and weeks later realize it was silly and dumb, now that one post can damage your future.

We shouldn’t be greatly terrorized While teenagers for what we do should be cautious of in our youth.

Companies, jobs, what they post online, they should also be colleges and people should understand forgiven for past that teenagers are mistakes young and will make foolish jokes. If the worst thing that they find is a TikTok of you and your friends twerking or a distasteful tweet, they could choose to understand that you are so much more than what you post to your social media.

At the end of the day, young people will make mistakes. The ones who have to deal with the Internet keeping track of their life should not be penalized for doing the same thing teenagers have done in the past. While we do have to be more cautious, our posts made in our teenage years should not be what determines our future.

must be signed and should be either emailed to the editor (alexislindenmayer@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.

•Mailed subscriptions cost $25 per year. Digital issues can be found on issuu.com. Crier is published 13 times a school year. Ad rates and policies are available to anyone upon request.

Our Staff

Editor-in-Chief Alexis Lindenmayer Managing Editor Alyssa Bass

Our take

Executive Editor Mercedez Williams Design Editors Lilia Brunetti, Adam Klaich Copy Editor Atarah Israel Page Editor Erianna Sims Director of Photography Charlie Hofferth Head Photographer/Graphics Editor Robert Young Chief Photographer Lana Salahieh Photographers Max Lindenmayer, Maddy Leimbach Lauren Morris, Cali Petersen, Adviser Ms. Sarah-Anne Lanman

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Munster High School Crier

Nov. 19, 2019

And album of the year goes to...

Crier staffers review their top three albums of 2019 Adam’s top 2019 pick

“IGOR” Tyler, The Creator Adam Klaich Design Editor

photo provided by Columbia

photo provided by Domino

Adam’s second 2019 pick “Angel’s Pulse” Blood Orange

Devonté Hynes, who goes by Blood Orange, released his mixtape “Angel’s Pulse” in July and it acts as more of a sequel to his 2018 album “Negro Swan.”

Every song brings something new and special to the album. The lyrics are unique, the background music is satisfying and uses many instruments and sounds to progress the album.

The album is very easily to listen to and I always listen to it in full. The album flows and progresses beautifully, and each song brings something new and makes up a beautiful project.

Since his debut in 2009, Tyler, The Creator has displayed many personas to his fans. He’s ventured into deeper, more violent, and sometimes satanic characters such as Wolf Haley in his Wolf Trilogy and he’s also given fans “Flower Boy,” an album and character exploring self growth and love while exhibiting a bright, colorful tone.

This year, he brought us a new character: Igor. “IGOR” focuses on love while clearly and cleverly telling a story of Tyler’s love

photo provided by 3Qtr/ Awal

Adam’s third 2019 pick “Apollo XXI” Steve Lacy

After two albums with the band The Internet and a six song demo titled “Steve Lacy’s Demo” in 2017, Steve Lacy finally released his first full album.

The artist is known for his groovy style that relies heavily on guitars, keyboards, and drums and the album is filled to the brim with his signature. There’s no real theme to the album, but each song is fun to listen to and it makes me excited for what Lacy has planned for the future. It makes for great freshman album and it excites me for what Lacy will bring in the future.

interest with a boy, his addiction to him, the girl that is preventing their relationship, and eventually him moving on from said boy.

The album has amazing production filled with piano solos, synths, and heavy hitting drums that stand behind Tyler and a list of featuring artists like Lil Uzi Vert, Solange, Playboi Carti, CeeLo Green and Charlie Wilson. Each transition from song to song is carefully tailored to sound like one continuous album and it is very easy to listen to.

“IGOR” is almost flawless and lists Tyler as a great artist to follow. The album easily stays saturated and interesting after every listen and is easily the best album of the year.

photo provided by Sony

photo provided by RCA

Alyssa’s second 2019 pick Alyssa’s third 2019 pick “Social Cues”

Cage the Elephant

Around since 2006, Cage The Elephant has come out with their fifth studio album. On April 19 Cage The Elephant released “Social Cues,” it was written to help process the bands grief over the past years— from losing friends to divorce.

Most of this albums songs revolve around minor chords, giving it the melancholy and mournful sound, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

This is worth listening to if you’re looking for new music.

“Pony”

Rex Orange County

Released less than a month ago by Rex Orange County, “Pony” is his newest album. “Pony,” consisting of 10 songs, was not what I was expecting from this album.

“Pony” has a more childish musical palette than his previous two albums— using electric pianos, bells, bird chirps, and digital barbershop quartets. Rex sings about being young and in love and growing up but not being old enough.

Overall “Pony” was interesting and unexpected considering his previous two albums, but a good type of interesting.

Alyssa’s top 2019 pick

“Morbid Stuff” PUP Alyssa Bass

Managing Editor

A lesser known punk pop band that deserves recognition for their 2019 album “Morbid Stuff,” is PUP, which stands for Pathetic Use of Potential. “Morbid Stuff” is PUP’s third album, after their self titled “PUP’ and “The Dream is Over.” For “Morbid Stuff,” PUP sticks with their usual self deprecating lyrics, opening their first track with “Sitting around and thinking all this morbid stuff, like if anyone I’ve slept with is dead and I got stuck on death and dying and obsessive thoughts that won’t let up.”

Lead singer Stefan Babcock shows how far his range is, from the metal riff and shoutalong vocals in “Full Blown Meltdown” to the laid back and slow singing in “City.”

Without a doubt “Morbid Stuff” is their strongest release— from lyrical content, the complete genre changes from a folk-rock “Scorpion Hill” to “Full Blown Meltdown,” to the story surrounding Morbid Stuff. In this album PUP acknowledges how literal their lyrics can be in and “Morbid Stuff” is about just that, morbid stuff— suicide, alcoholism and hitting rock bottom.

Morbid stuff is the soundtrack to the bands lives. Living in dead-end jobs, surviving layoffs, trying to cope with depression, being filled with identity confusion, and having constant rage while trying to find their way in the calamity of the world today. Between the lyrics, the chirpy guitar solos by Steve Sladkowski, the snare-heavy drum work brought by Zack Mykula, and deep bass from Nestor Chumak, these 11 tracks are worth the 37 minutes it takes to listen to them.

photo provided by Rise

Nov. 19, 2019

Munster High School Crier

5i n f o c u s

A switch up in streaming

Students discuss Disney+ and the current state of the streaming industry Adam Klaich Design Editor

One week ago, Disney released their own streaming service, Disney+, and according to Variety, the service accumulated 3.2 million app downloads on opening day. The platform carries many movies and series from franchises and studios like Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic and certain Fox content. In today’s world, there are many streaming services one can purchase for entertainment with a few examples being Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, HBO NOW and more.

Dori Clousing, junior, uses Netflix, Hulu and has recently purchased Disney+. She likes to watch “Designated Survivor” on Netflix and “Rick and Morty” on Hulu. She is glad her family has purchased the streaming service and has found it entertaining.

“Like any new program, it has its kinks and likes to buffer and load a lot,” Dori said, “but besides that, I’m really happy with all of the content that’s on it.”

She hasn’t watched any of the original shows or movies except for the new, live action “The Lady and the Tramp” movie, but she enjoys the many Marvel movies on the platform.

“As a big Marvel fan, I’m really happy they put everything on it,” Dori said. “I know there are still waiting on a couple of movies to get taken off of Netflix, but besides that, I think it’s really good.”

Although some, like Dori, think the platform is entertaining and fulfilling, there are others that think the platform isn’t worth it’s monthly rates.

Aidan Smith, senior, doesn’t see the purpose of paying the monthly fee just

to watch certain Disney movies.

“I understand that there are certain people that love Disney, but I don’t want to spend $7 a month so I can watch ‘Toy Story’ or ‘The Incredibles’ whenever I want,” Aidan said.

Aidan prefers other platforms, like Netflix and Hulu, because they have more variety and allow the viewer to explore into other genres and franchises. He also enjoys the many Netflix Originals.

“A lot of Netflix originals and certain shows that Netflix buys become good,” Aidan said. “For example, after they bought ‘Breaking Bad,’ they made ‘El Camino’ and ‘Better Call Saul.’

They’ve made ‘Stranger Things,’ they bought ‘Black Mirror’ and ‘Arrested Development.’”

Johnathan Bryson-Harvey, sophomore, thinks Disney+ appeals to today’s youth and himself because of its nostalgia factor. According to him, many shows and movies on the platform are considered “classics” the teenagers and young adults as they are movies that they grew up with and he prefers Disney+ because of this.

“There’s definitely that nostalgic hype,” Jonathan said. “People, especially us (high schoolers) appeal to older things now.”

He also believes that the platform is sought after due to the success that the franchises featured in the service have obtained like Marvel and Star Wars movies.

“I also think it’s different because nobody, like Netflix, is offering those movies and they are the movies that are doing amazing in the theaters,” Johnathan said. “It separates it from Netflix because Netflix has their own originals that don’t link to anyone’s past or to the old Disney classics.”

Pretty Pennies Lowest priced payment plans of certain streaming services Amazon Prime:

$12.99 a month $14.99 a month Netflix:

yearbook ordercenter.com order code: 3357

Disney+:

$15.99 a month $6.99 a month Hulu (with ads):

Apple TV+:

$5.99 a month

$4.99 a month

PARAGON 2019 Yearbook and senior ads On sale now!

HBO NOW:

source: Business Insider and each service’s website photo illustration by Charlie Hofferth

s p o r t s6

Munster High School Crier

Nov. 19, 2019

It all comes full circle opinion by Alexis Lindenmayer

photo by Robert Young

SKATING FOR THE SCORE Working the ice for possession of the puck, Ethan Boersma (24), sophomore, Aiden Kemp (97), freshman, and Tyler Groen (10), junior, play together during practice at the Midwest Training and Ice Center. Recent practices focus on strategic thinking during plays, as well as teamwork, according to Boersma.

Carving the ice Club Hockey prepares for upcoming games Atarah Israel Copy Editor

With hockey season in full swing, the Munster Mustang Hockey Club (MMHC) is preparing for their upcoming match this Saturday. With a record of 7-2-1, teammates have their eyes on State, which is tentatively scheduled for late February. Despite this late date, they hope to find much success throughout the season.

“So far, we’re doing pretty good, I would say,” Ethan Boersma, sophomore, said. “(There are) a lot of team building exercises during practice, and in games we sometimes show it and sometimes don’t, but we’re working towards being amazing.”

Recent practices focus on strategic the end of the day, you’re family.” thinking during plays, as well as One disadvantage the hockey team teamwork. For the members, team faces is not receiving a sponsorship bonding is an integral part of their from the high school for funding. success. With the loss of two goalies Even though they have to rely on this year, playing in harmony with each other sources for financial support, other in spite of this loss is especially such as community contribution, club important. This adeptness starts members understand the reasoning with the team’s shared cooperation, behind it. according to Otto Hoehl, sophomore.

“I don’t really blame the high “We have less kids, and we have lost school, it’s not really their fault,” Gabe two of our goalies,” Hoehl said. “And we Hoekstra, junior, said. don’t have that many upperclassmen With or without school funding, the on our team. We’re still young and MMHC is going to continue to pursue we’re getting better as a team. We’re their goal of winning State in their working together.” division.

Though not directly sponsored by “Our goal would be to win State,” the high school, MMHC is closely Hoehl said. “(I want us to) improve, go associated with Mustang sports. higher up in the ranks — just get better Although some MMHC team members as a team and as an individual.” attend Munster, others come from neighboring schools, making the team a blend of students. All members Upcoming club hockey games find common ground with their passion for the sport. Nov. 23 in Dyer “There’s a lot of joking,” Home game against Lake Central Boersma said. “A lot of sarcasm, (but) other Dec. 1 (Location TBD) than that we’re family. Thanksgiving Tournament Sometimes you get into Jan. 10 - 12 (Location TBD) fights with your older siblings but, ultimately, at Indy Crossover Weekend

Ice the puck

On top of the game Boys’ Basketball starts the season

Mercedez Williams Executive Editor

Beginning their season with a fresh start, Boys’ Basketball plays a scrimmage home game this Saturday against Chesteron. Their first official game is Nov. 27 against Bishop Noll.

The boys have been conditioning and preparing well before this date, and with tryouts only needing to last one day this year, it shows the skill of the group.

“I really like our team,” Coach Mike Hackett, Assistant Athletic Director,

said. “I think we’re going to be good again, and I think we will be competing for both the conference and sectional and maybe even beyond that.”

Despite losing a striking amount of seniors, the boys are ready to step up to the challenge left before them.

Among their challenges is forming team bonds.

“We lost a lot of seniors last year. A lot of the seniors then were really close, so we got to bring that family dynamic back,” Jeff Hemmelgarn, senior, said.

“We got a lot of JV guys playing this year, so we have to bring them up to speed. But we’re really meshing well together, so it should be really good.”

Although it is only the beginning

source: mustanghockeyclub.com

of their season, the team is making preparations for their plays throughout the year. Team members are fully geared to tackle their upcoming games.

“We normally have three goals in the year,” Hemmelgarn said. “We want to win the Highland holiday tournament, we want to win conference, and we want to win sectionals. Those are our three main (goals), but we want to go as deep in the tournament as possible.”

With eager eyes watching for their season start, the boys’ focus is on having a strong and satisfactory season.

“It’s a great group of guys,” Coach Hackett said. “They’re fun to be around, they’re fun to coach. Plus, they are talented and I look forward to watching us improve as the season goes on.”

While baseball may be over for the season, the behind the scene work never truly stops. Coaching changes are already being made as the Pirates, Padres, Angles, Mets and Phillies all fired their field managers.

Chicago’s Cubs made a big change in deciding to not extend Joe Maddon’s coaching contract. He leaves the Cubs with four playoff runs, one World Series win, and a record of 471-338 over the span of the last five years.

The choice to ditch Maddon contract was not a surprise, with the rumors beginning around July that this would be his last season as a Cub. However, the official announcement still left me feeling uneasy, as I and many other Cubs fans have grown so accustomed to him.

When looking at the Cubs, Maddon had a very good run as coach. From his five seasons, the team made post season four times and won the World Series for the first time in 108 years.

Unfortunately, this greatness and momentum is what killed Maddon in the end. When you lead a team to a historic win the second year of your coaching, fans begin to expect similar results every year. The Cubs didn’t make it to the playoffs last season, they lost the wild card in the season prior.

While they may not have been doing awful, this was nothing compared to what Cubs fans were used to from Maddon.

As soon as Maddon was out the door, David Ross was brought in as the new Cubs manager. This came as more of a shock, with fans having mixed reactions on what this move will bring to the future.

Perhaps the Cubs are trying to spark some of their 2016 energy to help them gain their momentum. Ross was a catcher on the team for the monumental 2016 win. He was even one of the key players that helped them take the win in the fatal game seven.

When thinking of the peak of the Cubs in recent years, Ross will surely come into the minds of fans. He represents everything that the team wants to reach in their upcoming seasons and perhaps he will be the one to connect the great past seasons into the future.

Along with spirit, Ross can provide the skills that it takes to be a manager.

In the three seasons of retirement, he worked as a special assistant to baseball operations with the Cubs and as an analyst for ESPN. Keeping up with baseball will definitely benefit Ross in the long run.

The only obvious obstacle Ross may face is having to overcome the awkward shift from former teammate to manager. Going from a cog in the machine to an irreplaceable part can be hard to get used to, especially with so many players that may have issues seeing him as his new position.

Thankfully, players such as Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo have already done interviews in the past expressing how much respect and admiration they hold for Ross.

Wish Together, Swish Together

Nov. 19, 2019

Munster High School Crier

7s p o r t s

Girls’ Basketball talks start of their season, strong ambitions for the future Erianna Sims Page Editor

Girls’ Basketball has anticipated the start of their season, looking forward to defying the odds and overcoming obstacles like never before. The girls are eager to show everyone their excitement and increased potential for this year.

“The last three years have been on and off for me,” Emily Zabrecky, senior, said. “I feel like this is our year, and the games we’ve played showed me that I’m actually enjoying myself and I’m happy. This year we’ve all created a better bond with each other and I’m really looking forward to enjoying it and enjoying my last year.”

Emily Zabrecky, along with other teammates, have great aspirations for their season, as well as what they will do beyond the high school stage.

“My biggest goal this year is to get better and work on every aspect of my game, so I can work to be a part of the collegiate level,” Aleena Mongerie, junior, said. “I want to work on my shooting a lot because I mainly drive to the basket, so I don’t improve on my shooting to be an all around player.”

The team welcomed a new player this year, and together the girls have created bonds that have allowed them to work efficiently as a team, and hope for great success moving forward in their season.

“Sara (Zabrecky) is our only new player, aside from Holly Kaim (junior), who didn’t play last year, but came back this year,” Emily Zabrecky said. “The two of them have mixed in well because no one person is necessarily competing with another person for a particular spot. The way we all flow together is way better than the last three years, and we all love each other and know how to connect easily with what we’re doing and what impact we have on the team.”

Sara Zabrecky, senior, has adapted well to her new team. Transferring from Lake Central for her last year of high school, Zabrecky has a full-ride basketball scholarship to St. John’s University in Queens, New York. She is just as enthusiastic about this season as her fellow teammates.

“The team bonding is great, and we are a great group of girls who work hard everyday,” Sara Zabrecky said. “We are there for each other on and off the court. In the future, I look forward to the team winning all Conferences, winning Sectionals, and moving onto Regionals and winning that.”

Pin it to win it Wrestling discusses adjusting to new coach and team changes Lilia Brunetti Design Editor

As their first match approaches in early December, wrestling prepares for the upcoming season. With hopes of qualifying for state, the team is simultaneously adjusting to various changes. Stepping up from his position last year as the assistant coach, Mr. Zach Slosser, is the team’s head coach.

“Our old head coach felt like he finished his time here,” Dave Mueller, senior, said. “So our assistant coach moved up. He’s been with us for a while, he knows what he’s doing and he’s pushing us really hard.”

Although the introduction of new leadership may bring about different strategies, the team views this change with an optimistic perspective. “(The coaching switch) is big and exciting,” Leo Tsirtsis, junior, said. “I’m really excited to see our

photo by Cali Petersen

STAND GUARD Defending her side of the court, Kayla Ziel, junior, stands guard of a LaPorte player at the game on Friday, Nov. 8. The girls have won all three of their games beginning their season with a record of 3-0.

The girls’ current record is 3-0, but despite the numbers, they all want to continue to manifest good energies and keep improving individually and as a team.

“I definitely want to keep hyping up the team, and keep them happy with this whole season,” Emily Zabrecky said. “I’m looking forward to the unexpected, meaning winning more games than usual and also showing other teams when they see us on the floor together, they can look and think ‘Wow, we’ve never seen a team bond and connect like they have.’”

Basketball can be a very challenging sport, but many of the girls believe that if you have a passion for it, don’t be afraid to pursue it.

“Keep working hard, you’re going to run into bumps, but keep pushing through them and never give up,” Sara Zabrecky said.

Although some players want to pursue basketball after high school, Emily Zabrecky is still undecided.

She is very passionate about others seeing just how motivated and talented the team is this year.

“It wasn’t until this year that I realized the moods people have towards basketball and towards this team as a whole can change drastically, and change a game within a heartbeat,” Emily Zabrecky said. “Last year, I could tell a lot of us were down and we knew that if we weren’t winning by halftime, we were going to lose the game. Now it feels like we never know

what could happen because anything is unpredictable honestly. I hope more people can see our potential, and more people from the school should support both Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball because it should be a fun year for all of us. A lot of people underestimated us, but never underestimate the underestimated in my opinion, because you never know what to expect. I want to be able to leave this program better than when I came.”

Reach for the sky Sara Zabrecky describes what she is “shooting” for this season?

“

A big goal of mine is to be undefeated, win sectionals, and be conference champs.

- Sara Zabrecky

photo by Cali Petersen

team advance and do well this season. Everyone seems very high spirited.”

In previous years, wrestling has had trouble recruiting new members, seeing their numbers dip.

The team believes this is because the sport takes unparalleled dedication.

“Wrestling has struggled with numbers since many who try it out the first week quit because it is very hard work and a large commitment,” Tsirtsis said.

However, this year the team has seen an increase in members to over twenty wrestlers. Despite novices, the members are overcoming the odds and advancing fast.

“Our group is very close and the upperclassmen have known each other for a long time and accepting the new guys well,” Tsirtsis said.

Looking forward, the team hopes to finish strong with a positive record, upholding the standards they hold for themselves.

“The future’s looking better. Right now we have good juniors and seniors that are bringing a promising season,” Mueller said.

photo by Max Lindenmayer

OWN THE MAT At wrestling practice last week, Wyatt Strozewski, freshman, puts Elijah Homan, sophomore, into a headlock during drills at practice.

s t u d e n t l i f e8

Munster High School Crier

Nov. 19, 2019

BAC K TALK If you could be famous for anything, what would it be for?

“I would want to be famous for donating a lot to charities and speaking out to help others” - Janai Munoz freshman

“I would be famous for my cooking”

- Giselle Edwards freshman

photo illustration by Robert Young

HIT THAT LIKE BUTTON Smiling at her phone, Stephanie Niemiec, senior, discusses the impact of social media on our lives, “Social media can have both positive and negative impacts; it all depends on the context in which teens use it,” Stephanie said.

With a large amount of young Americans wanting to be social media influencers, students discuss what they hope to achieve with their social media presence

“Medical science”

“Famous for owning a company bigger than Disney”

- Seth Cleminson sophomore

- Issac Hernandez sophomore

“I would be famous for not knowing how to swim”

“Famous for owning the most dogs in the world”

Mercedez Williams Executive Editor

L

ist of necessities: water, air, clothes, Snapchat streaks and posts on Instagram for your followers. Sound like you? Well, you certainly are not alone, according to a recent Morning Consult study: 86 percent of young Americans want to become a social media influencer.

This has been a sensation in the past few years, as social media has become more and more prominent in our lives and culture. As it becomes more popular, people in the school wish to create their own impact online through social media influencing.

Trinitee Hassan, senior, wants to create a better world through social media and being an influencer. Her biggest following is on TikTok. However, Trinitee hopes to expand her influence to other platforms as well.

“I want to be more influential on Instagram and have a YouTube Channel,” Trinitee said, “I just want to be, not exactly famous, but to impact the world more and to be better, and do better, more than just being an actress and all the paparazzi. I just want to influence people and inspire people.”

Many people who wish to become an influencer and want to make mon-

ey off of their social media accounts.

But Trinitee does not want to become an influencer for this purpose.

“I was asked to sponsor a face mask,” Trinitee said. “I declined it because that is not what I am about.

I am not doing this for money. I am doing this because I actually genuinely care about people. I have gone on live stream and asked them to ask me questions. People (on TikTok) gave me money, but I don’t ask for it. I am doing it to inspire the next generation and the younger girls under me, telling them to be proud of who you are and what you represent” Stephanie Niemiec, senior, suggests that there are many advantages to having a significant following in terms of socializing. She has a Taylor Swift fan account on Instagram, in which she influences the most.

“With the following I have met so many new friends from across the world,” Stephanie said. “I’ve met these people I’ve even been to some of their houses. I can text them and call them. I made so many new friends and I’ve learned a lot about the world, things like that.”

With some teenager’s lives revolving around social media and school,

being an influencer can seem like it is an easy way to make money and obtain fame. However, Daniel Kruse, senior, does not agree, as he has worked with different people in the music industry and releases his own music.

“It’s viewed to be a very easy thing online,” Daniel said. “People often see others get ‘overnight success’ but in reality, it requires tons of hours of work and tons of money thrown in. It’s an entirely different life.”

Stephanie agrees with Daniel in this aspect. With the large amount of influencers, it may seem that it can be easy to become one, but it is on the contrary according to the two.

“I think people think that it’s easy to get a large following, but they don’t really understand that you have to be consistent, and actually put work into it,” Stephanie said.

Being an influencer can include hard work, it is also rewarding in that it enables others to influence and connect with people all around the world. Many young Americans aspire to achieve influencer status, but only few are able to achieve it. In a world of rapid innovation, these influencers are the powerhouses of change, reflecting our world arena.

- Taylor Graham junior

- Emily Shu junior

“For being myself.”

“For crumbling the American school system”

- Maddison Butler senior

- Shane Hoogewerf senior

2,000 likes Mercedez Williams What are the top reasons Generation Z want to be influencers?

View all 7 comments To make a difference: 58 percent chose this option “Having a YouTube “(For being a) channel with NASCAR Driver” Mrs. (Kathleen) LaPorte, teaching Life Lessons 101” - Mrs. Jennifer - Ms. Beth Bullard Raspopovich Science teacher Math teacher

Flexible hours: 55 percent chose this option To share ideas: 53 percent chose this option Because it’s fun: 51 percent chose this option For money: 50 percent chose this option Source: Morning Consult, survey of 2,000 people ages 13-38