8.29.14

crier

munster high school

vol 49/issue 1/ aug. 29, 2014

8808 Columbia Ave. Munster IN, 46321 Saturday

83/68

Upcoming

Football faces Chesterton tonight at 7 p.m.

Volleyball plays at Chicago Christian tonight at 5 p.m.

Sunday

82/71 Monday

81/65

Underclassmen photos:

Juniors: Tuesday Sophomores: Wednesday Freshmen: Thursday Boys’ soccer

Page 7 Football

Getting back in the black

“

We are just going to have to work through this and try to whittle down the deficit year by year.

THE BIG PICTURE During an interview regarding the School Town of Munster’s $8 million deficit, Dr. Jeffrey Hendrix, district superintendent, spoke about his plans for the upcoming year. “I look at everything from a big picture perspective, so I want to understand how the organization works and how we can continue to best serve our students and our community,” Dr. Hendrix said.

New superintendent prepares to take on budget issues

A

about the school district’s $8 million deficit not by immediately proposing budget cuts, but instead by reciting the lyrics to “We are Family,” the 1979 chart-topping pop song by Sister Sledge.

“The reasoning behind that (song choice) was when I came here and I started talking to all kinds of people, all they said (was) Munster is like having a big family,” Dr. Hendrix said. “We all feel like we’re connected and we’re supported by each other.”

Dr. Hendrix, who recently accepted the open position, prepares to begin his first year as district superintendent.

After his former job as superintendent of the SunmanDearborn Community school district, in which helped eliminate a $5 million deficit, Dr. Hendrix plans to use his experience, but also looks at the School Town of Munster as a unique case with a unique solution.

“Yes, I have dealt with these problems, but it doesn’t

Page 7

Textbook issues keep students offline

Max Baker Opinion Editor

photo by Natalia Bilek

t a recent district meeting, Dr. Jeffrey Hendrix, district superintendent, opened a discussion

Girls’ soccer

Problems with Pearson force students to work without their online textbooks

”

Meena Kandallu Copy Editor

Page 8

mean I have all of the answers,” Dr. Hendrix said. “I am not sure anybody really does have all of the answers, and every district is different based on the situation they are in.”

While the district’s recent inability to pay a NIPSCO utility bill came as a shock to many community members, it is not nearly as alarming as it appears, according to Mrs. Mary Yorke, school board vice president.

“It’s common for lots of schools. We will pay our bill, and the lights are not going to go out,” Mrs. Yorke said.

“We will be making catch-up payments, but obviously nobody is going to be going to school in the dark.”

With the first payment of the May 2013 referendum having arrived over the summer, Mrs. Paula Nellans, school board secretary, hopes that the future payments will alleviate the burden of the $8 million deficit, but knows that other changes must be made.

“It’s going to help, but it’s not going to take us completely out of debt. We’re going to have to go through every little thing we do and see where we can save money,” Mrs. Nellans said.

Continued on pg. 2

The start of the new school year brings new experiences, friends and the foreseeable laptop and online troubles for several students.

“I haven’t been able to access my online book for my Chemistry or Algebra II class,” Mei Brasel, sophomore, said. “It’s really hard trying to keep up with the rest of the class when you don’t have a book to get the information from.”

Students flock to the Media Center for help, but the online text book issues have no easy solution, according to Dr. Phyllis Gilworth, Director of Instructional Programs and Assessment.

“The issues we’re having are not issues I can go on my computer and fix,” Dr. Gilworth said. “It’s not ever something like that. Our IT staff has to deal with the IT vendor.”

While the issues with the Pearson online textbook may create some doubt about the textbook vendor’s quality, their online platform surpasses several others, according to Dr. Gilworth.

“When looking at Pearson’s digital platform, it’s the furthest along in the textbook realm,” Dr. Gilworth said.

“However, it’s only beneficial to us if we can access it.”

Based on past histories, Dr. Gilworth claims this time of the year will always yield problems for technology, especially laptops.

“The beginning of the school year is very difficult,” Dr. Phyllis Gilworth said.

“On the district end, our IT people did all prerequisite work to assure a smooth transition. Once the system was taxed, there were issues that required that our IT people reach out to Pearson for assistance to resolve the issues.”

2 News

Crier/Aug. 29, 2014

Continued from front

‘Getting back in the black’

Over the past year, an effort to eliminate unneeded expenditures has included turning off heating and

cooling while school is not in session and putting lighting on a tighter schedule. This effort continues into this year through a switch from mailing out the “Educationally Speaking” newsletter to publishing it online and also replacing current light fixtures with longer-lasting LED lights throughout district buildings.

“When you have an $8 million deficit in your general fund, it’s pretty serious for a school corporation because that kind of deficit means that you have to review everything you’re doing in terms of how you’re spending your money,” Dr. Hendrix said. “Our goal right now is to better understand how we’re spending our money on a monthly basis and trying to get those expenses underneath the actual amount of money we get from the state.”

A lack of sufficient funding from the state serves as one of the main contributing factors to the district’s deficit, according to Mrs. Yorke.

With more funds going to schools with higher numbers of students in the free and reduced lunch price program, the School Town of Munster ranks 346 of 356 in a listing of per pupil funding of all schools in the state.

While the school with the most funding receives over $7,000 per pupil, and the state average is approximately $5,800 per pupil, Munster receives only $4,988 per pupil.

“We’re not asking that other school systems be cut in the amount of funding they receive. School systems should all have that average amount,” Mrs. Yorke said. “We always kind of hoped that the state would look at the bottom of the list that receives the least money per pupil and recognize that we financially could not maintain what we have been doing under the money we have been given.”

Due to the size of the district’s deficit, many changes must occur, but Dr. Hendrix hopes to make these

changes in a manner that does not hurt students or teachers.

“I think it’s when you talk about personnel, people think right away that everybody’s going to lose their jobs. We are not doing anything of that nature,” Dr. Hendrix said. “We can reduce some costs even when people retire or when they go take another position. We want to look into those areas without hurting the programs that everyone is accustomed to having.”

Although Dr. Hendrix knows that eliminating $8 million of debt will prove a slow process, he feels optimistic for the School Town’s future.

“I’m excited to be here, I’m excited for the challenge, I’m optimistic that we will get this turned around and we will be back in the black, but it’s going to take a lot of work. It’s going to take some sacrifice on everyone’s part as we move forward,” Dr. Hendrix said, “but I can see it happening, and it’s not going to be overnight. It may take us several years to get us back in the black, but I’m a big believer that it can be done.”

President plans for change Newly elected student government officials consider old ideas, new activities after Homecoming Danie Oberman News Editor

tracting at times, they never fail to bring laughs.

“Dan and Adam are very outgoing, intelligent individuals,” Ms. LaPorte, co-sponsor of student govWith every new school year comes some changes, ernment, said.

“They are much more humorous than and Student Body President, Dan Green, senior, and some of our past presidents and vice presidents.

Student Body Vice President, Adam Kulam, senior, They are very well-rounded individuals, involved in are already planning to add a few more. numerous activities and I believe they really have the When campaign time came around last year, Dan best of the school at heart.” couldn’t wait to finally get going.

This year, Dan and Adam plan to organize multiple “I decided to run for president because it’s always events for students to get involved in, like a volleybeen a dream of mine, since elementary school, to be ball or basketball game before winter break. Their high school president,” Dan said. original campaign included othHowever, Adam wasn’t always er ideas such as a pool party and so on board with running with The Original Campaign more informal dances, and they him. Originally, Adam didn’t in- After Homecoming, Dan, Adam have told the student body not to tend to run for office at all due still plan to follow through with lose hope. to a fear of having too many se“We haven’t really abandoned their original aspirations rious commitments, according to those,” Dan said. “We still plan on Adam.

After school movie nights doing as many of those as we can, “I understood that I would have More student involvement but because Homecoming is by a large conflict between VP-ing Intramural sports teams far our biggest event of the year, and my position as drum major More informal dances we’ve devoted all of our time and (in the band). He (Dan) just apSource: Dan Green resources to that.” proached me and said he underFun things aside, Dan and Adam stood the limitations of my time also understand part of their job lies in making more and energy and he would work with me, keeping serious decisions and want to hear students’ opinthat in mind,” Adam said. ions concerning them.

Dan was determined to run with Adam because of “They really want to incorporate the student body their longtime friendship and the way they work tointo a lot of decisions that they’re making,” Ms. gether.

LaPorte said. “They definitely want to hear more in“We’re like a well-oiled machine,” Adam said. put and more say from the student body.”

According to Ms. LaPorte, the two share similar They plan to do this by creating a Moodle page for personalities and sense of humor. Despite being disstudents, according to Adam.

“The purpose of the Moodle page is to gain information concerning the opinions of the student body,” Adam said.

With their numerous goals and ideas, their fear for the year lands in the hands of the clock, according to Dan. “Adam and I and the rest of the student government are very busy in our school work and in our activities, and I think the biggest challenge might be running out of time,” Dan said.

Nevertheless, they’re determined to make the most of the amount of time they have.

Once Homecoming gets completed successfully, they will run full-force with their other ideas. photo by Lauren Koultourides “Once homecoming is done TAKING THE LEAD At a student government meeting, seniors Dan Green, presand successful, we’ll bring a lot ident, adn Adam Kulam, vice president, lead the group in a discussion about of (the initial platform) back, homecoming plans.He and Adam understand their responsibilities to be the and a lot of other ideas we student voice, and want to obtain that voice by being one of the crowd. “We want to lead from the mist, not from the front,” Dan said. have, too,” Dan said.

Quick Notes

High-Five Club

HOSA

Absence Policy

A new club makes its goal character encouragement. The High-Five club praises students who do good even with no one watching, according to Club Founder, Mr. Morgan Nolan, Assistant Principle.

“A lot of kids do the right thing and never get recognized,” Mr. Nolan, said. “This (club) is to put a smile on someone’s face.”

Starting in September, teachers and administration will nominate four to five students per month, whom they have witnessed do good, for a “high-five.” The recipients will be posted on the bulletin board.

“We live in a society that focuses on the negative,” Mr. Nolan said. “Here at Munster, we want to focus on the positive.”

The new club, Health Organization Students of America (HOSA), hosted their call-out meeting last Friday.

“It is for students who are interested in a medical field or health care,” Sponsor Mrs. Jacqueline Gasca, science teacher, said. “They will compete in events in the health field.”

HOSA can give students experience in different medical fields including dental science, nurse assisting and sports medicine, according to Mrs. Gasca.

They can also improve skills outside of the medical field, such as interviewing and speaking.

“They can get experience in a specific job,” Mrs. Gasca said.

Due to a policy change regarding the absence policy, teachers can no longer decide whether students with more than seven absences will receive passing grades. While teacher discretion formerly served as the deciding factor when it came to these situations, students will now automatically receive no credit for a class as soon as they reach the seven absence limit.

This policy change came as a necessary fix to an inconsistent rule, according to Mr. Morgan Nolan,Assistant Principle.

“We’ve had discussions with our teachers and the policy wasn’t being enforced very consistently,” Mr. Nolan said. “Teachers wanted a way of getting everyone on the same page.”

Crier/Aug. 29, 2014 editorial

BACKTALK

Striking a balance Teachers are key to the success of students.

With only so much money in the general fund, so how exactly will the School Town of Munster will be able to afford to pay every teacher? The School Town’s main objective should be to pay all their teachers and not implement any cuts.

Cutting teachers would cause more harm to the level of education in the district than the OUR TAKE hole burnt in the district’s wallet. Cutting teachers With a tight budget, the district needs to would lead to larger class decide where most sizes. Larger class sizes of the money should limit student’s one-on-one go to keep a high time with teachers. With all education standard the disturbances that could come from a class of 30 or more students, the educational environment would suffer as well.

Teaching teachers how to use all of the technology handed to them serves as another area where money should go. Most classrooms in the school now have whiteboards; however, teachers will not be able to use them effectively if they are not taught how the technology works.

Teachers should also be taught in detail how to effectively use online textbooks. Waiting until two weeks of school have passed to sign students up on Pearson is too long.

If teachers are not taught properly how to use the technology in their grasps then the money spent for the technology is being wasted.

Students have a role to play as well. Students need to learn how to respect the laptops. In order to keep the laptops in good condition, students need to consider how much they care for the laptops.

Spilling drinks or dropping the laptops on the floor call for unwanted repairs and money spent.

The School Town should not be blamed for the poor care some students give to their school is-

What is one thing you couldn’t survive the school year without and why?

“Probably snacks.

Snacks are tasty and I get hungry during the day.”

George Babus, freshman

graphic illustration by Chelsea Eickleberry

“WHAT TO DO? What to do? How will we choose between our light bill or our laptops?”

sued laptops.

The School Town only receives $4,988 per student while the state average $5,800. The district can only do so much with the limited funding they receive; however, they can decide on what costs they should focus on the most.

They can continue spending more and more money on technology, but they need to make sure teachers can use it effectively. They need to focus on providing teachers with money and resources they need so that they can keep education in Munster at the high level people expect from the school.

Letter from the Editor The Crier staff has decided to distribute our newspapers free of cost.

The staff would like to extend the Crier’s reach through more of the school and community. The staff hopes free newspapers will encourage more of the student body to pick one up and learn more about events and people related to the school and community.

Students and faculty can still pick up a Crier at lunch or stop by room N155.

Crier will launch our new website, mhscrier.com in order to expand our coverage. The Crier staff hopes to modernize our paper with the addition of the website and to keep the student body and the faculty involved on a dai-

ly weekly.

Students and faculty can view the website for breaking news: Now you do not have to wait until the printed version of Crier to come out when big news happens. The website will include: More stories and photos: The website now offers unlimited content Sports scores: Find out the results of all our Junior Varsity and Varsity sports Find out the news and results from clubs and their competitions Crier serves as an open forum, meaning that we accept Letters to the Editor.

For more information, refer to the bot-

crier

Crier, Munster High School’s official student newspaper, may be reached at 8808 Columbia Ave, Munster, IN 46321, phone 219-836-3200, Ext. 3443; Fax: 219-836-3202. Published by the Honors Newspaper Advanced Writing and Editing classes, and extra-curricular involvement.

•The newspaper serves as a public forum and two-way communication for the school and community.•Crier is a source of information, entertainment, advertising and opinion for the student body, faculty, administration and community •Published material will stress objective reporting except on the editorial page where opinion writing will be featured. All published material will stress accuracy, truthfulness, integrity, honesty, responsibility, objectivity, fairness and independence.

Opinions expressed in the newspaper do not necessarily reflect those of the School Town of Munster, faculty or administration.

3 speakout

tom of this page.

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On our website you can find a review on “The Giver,” photo galleries and a story on super fans.

-William Hatczel

“Black Coffee with sugar and cream. I feel that coffee will help me stay awake and listen to my teachers.”

Danny Zuccarelli, sophomore

“Probably my hoodies, because this school is always freezing without them.”

Brandon Williams, junior

“My planner, so I can keep all my homework straight.”

Maureen Daugherty, senior

Letters to the Editor are welcomed, but should be limited to 250 words. All letters must be signed and should be given directly to any staff member or delivered to the Pub, N155, one week prior to publication. Letters must not contain personal attacks against an individual. Editors reserve the right to edit for length, clarity, and grammatical errors. Crier will accept letters from anyone, provided that the content pertains to school or school issues.

Mailed subscriptions cost $20 per year. Ad rates and policies are available to anyone upon request. Crier is published 14 times a school year.

The Staff Editor-in-Chief William Hatczel Managing Editor Vrusha Patel Copy Editor Meena Kandallu Opinion Editor Max Baker

“A good work ethic, because if you don’t have a good work ethic you’ll fall behind.”

Jeremiah Yuhas, freshman

“Positivity, because you need to stay positive to handle the pressure you face during the school year.”

Kayla Warner, sophomore

“I think I would choose my phone, because it has the internet, calculator, and e-mail.”

Melissa McCann, junior

“Pants. I have to have a pair of pants every day. Rule number one.”

Mr. Morgan Nolan, Assistant Principal

Sports Editors Erin Gallagher, Jordan Szymanski News Editors Amanda Jones, Danie Oberman, Infocus Editors Mariah Villaroman, Chloe Wineinger Web Editor Elena Piech Web Designer Alex Baker Graphics Editor Chelsea Eickleberry Head Photographer Natalia Bilek Photographers Arianna Adams, Alexis Baker, Rachel Bishop, Lauren Koultourides, Kyra Marriott, Ray Ojel, Peyton Puckett, Savannah Shaver Adviser Ms. Sarah-Anne Lanman

4 infocus

Crier/Aug. 29, 2014

Lesson Plans

New employees express positivity regarding working at high school

Ms. Stephanie Czarnik Chloe Wineinger Infocus Editor

“For me, this feels really small,” Ms. Czarnik said. “But I like the sense of community from a smaller student body and faculty.”

French teacher Ms. Stephanie Czarnik’s fondness of French began in high school, where the decision of becoming a French teacher developed from the passion of helping her peers understand the language better.

“It’s kind of stereotypical, but French is like poetry,” Ms. Czarnik said. “It flows well from your mouth and sounds pretty. Knowing French definitely opens up a lot of opportunities to talk to people all over the world.”

This year she hopes to push students beyond their comfort zone, which may channel them toward taking AP French.

“I want to bring more rigor into the program,” she said.

Munster High School has a closer student body, according to Ms. Czarnik.

Mr. Nicholas Gron

Ms. Bridget Parker

Mrs. Terri White

Amanda Jones News Editor A former percussionist and alumni, Ms. Bridget Parker, now runs the orchestra class.

Ms. Parker previously held a position as Director of the Bands at schools in Fairland, Ind. The class size had, at first, startled her, but now she has great appreciation for it, according to Ms. Parker.

“The fact that the symphony orchestra has 60 students surprised me.

They’re all really good, just a huge class,” Ms. Parker said.

Teaching at the school can be time consuming, but fulfilling, according to Ms. Parker. She spends hours practicing and grading.

“Because I came from Munster, I care a lot more about the school and the music program than most people think,” Ms. Parker said.

Mr. Steven Stepnoski Amanda Jones News Editor

“When I realized I couldn’t go to college to be a TV game show host is when I decided to be a teacher,” Mr. Steven Stepnoski, English teacher, said.

After high school, Mr. Stepnoski attended Indiana University for his teaching degree. Mr. Stepnoski student taught for Ms. Leigh Ann Westland, English teacher. Getting to work with the students, teachers and administrators, caused Mr. Stepnoski to fall in love with Munster High School in his duration of student teaching.

“I love getting to interact with all of the different personalities of my students. They are all unique,” Mr. Stepnoski said.

Each period has different faces, stories, strengths and weaknesses, as well as excitement and adventure with the students, according to Mr. Stepnoski.

Amanda Jones News Editor

Making a joke about a math book that not many students have read, Mr. Nick Gron, math teacher, watches as his students copy down an equation.

As a former U.S. Coast Guard member, Mr. Gron uses the skills he learned from his service in his math classes.

“I saw a lot of the math that I had learned in high school put to use as a member of a navigation team, and I was also in charge of training in my unit,” Mr. Gron said. “I enjoyed both roles and knew that I could carry that over to an education setting,” Mr. Gron started the path to his career at Purdue University and ended it at Trinity Christian University.

At college he earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics education.

Mr. Gron believes that the students have been eager and easy to work with.

“I expected Munster High School students to be respectful and focused, and they have lived up to those expectations,” Mr. Gron said.

Officer Erik Holloway Chloe Wineinger Infocus Editor School Resource Officer Erik Holloway finds refreshing change with his newly added responsibility at the school.

“I wanted to do something different,” Officer Holloway said. “Most of the encounters I have working as an officer are negative. I thought I’d have a more positive impact working here than in the streets.”

One aspect he considers impressive include the policies and procedures

in place which impact how the school works together as a team to safeguard the student body.

“Everybody is focused towards the goal of making this school a better place,” Officer Holloway said. “Other places where I have worked had been more self-focused. It’s certainly different.”

Forming connections with students stands out as one of the aspects Officer Holloway looks forward to.

“Here, there’s a lot more options to develop a relationship with the kids and to become a role model,” Officer Holloway said.

Overall, Officer Holloway enjoys his position at the school because he feels his work is appreciated more than when he worked the streets as a patrol officer.

“It’s a nice chance to interact with the students on a more positive level,” Officer Holloway said. “Everyone has been very welcoming, even the students.”

Chloe Wineinger Infocus Editor Mrs. Terri White, art teacher, eagerly anticipates applying her own experiences from practicing art herself to her lessons.

“I want students to create things they haven’t thought of before and see things in a new light,” Mrs. White said.

Mrs. White experiments with prints and mixed-media drawings and attributes the natural environment in her motivation.

“Nature is just a constant source for me for not only inspiration, but for peace. I like to surround myself with nature,” Mrs. White said.

Mrs. White’s reality vastly improves when her students appear for class.

“They keep me young,” Mrs. White said. “There’s never a dull moment.

I’m glad to say in my work that I’ll never get bored.”

Mr. Stepnoski hopes to teach more than basic grammar skills, literary terms and devices and writing skills.

“I want my students to understand more about themselves, learn more about others, the world and being able to communicate successfully,” Mr. Stepnoski said.

Teachers going beyond the usual expectations proves as an important part in the student’s learning experience, according to Mr. Stepnoski.

By living up to his expectations and supporting the students and staff, Mr. Stepnoski definitely considers himself a fan of the school.

“I may have gone to Lake Central, but now I bleed for the Mustang red,” Mr. Stepnoski said.

photos by Alexis Baker, Natalia Bilek, Lauren Koultourides, Kyra Marriott, Savannah Shaver

Mr. Gron

Ms. Parker

Mr. Stepnoski

Ms. Czarnik

Officer Holloway

Mrs. White

Crier/Aug. 29, 2014

5 infocus

Accepted.

After several rejections from school board, GSA starts its first year as an official club Max Baker Opinion Editor

photo by Rachel Bishop

BY THE BOOK Garrett McShea, senior, and Joe Carlascio, senior, plan for future Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) meetings after school. “I feel so honored to be a part of this club,” Garrett said. “I want this club to be a safe place for all students.”

History in Making

GSA’s dates show struggle in becoming a club First proposal Nov. 2013

Unofficial proposal by Administration Board July 2014

Rejected February 2014

First Meeting August 19, 2014

Approved by the school board July 2014 sources: Destiny Sabo and Mr. Morgan Nolan

CNN reports that five percent of all high school students identify themselves as gay or lesbian. However, 72 percent of high school students know at least one person who identifies as homosexual. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) students are twice as likely to consider suicide, according to the official Gay-Straight Alliances (GSA) website.

These statistics provide reasons for the GSA to form, and in July, the school board approved of the club with the persistence of Destiny Sabo, ’14.

“For years students have been fighting for this (the GSA) and the school board had continuously denied it,” Destiny said. “I refused to have more students fight. This club is a necessity when you have LGBT students.”

The GSA’s mission is to educate the school community on homophobia, transphobia, gender identity and sexual orientation issues and provide an environment where students can speak about their personal issues.

Regardless of the club’s history, both students and faculty are excited for an opportunity for students with heteronormative and non-heteronormative lifestyles to come together.

“I’m very excited about it,” Ms. Peggy Matanic, English teacher, said.

“This is a club that was generated from student effort and is a student vehicle for all students to understand each other.”

More than 30 students arrived for the club’s first call-out meeting August 19, much to the delight of Garrett McShea, senior.

“It’s amazing that so many students come to support us,” Garrett said.

“We’re always welcoming of newcomers.”

The GSA plans to have guest speakers come in and discuss their lives in high school, start a campaign to end the ‘G-word’ or the ‘F-word’ and with approval from the school, have a guest speaker speak on how students can be safe with someone of the same sex.

“We want both straight and LGBT students to come together,” Garrett said. “We want every student to be as informed as possible on issues that affect the student body.”

The club does not cater only to LGBT students, according to Garrett.

“The GSA is a place for anyone who is out to have a group of friends who know what they’re going through,” Garrett said. “It’s a place where everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, should feel safe.”

While Garrett understands students may or may not like the club’s existence or his sexuality, he asks everyone to give him, along with the rest of the LGBT students at the school, respect.

“Why go out of your way to annoy us when we don’t do anything to you?” Garrett said. “I understand you have your own views and ideals, but we don’t bother you and we ask you do the same.”

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should

I Stay...

New paranormal drama “If I Stay” starring Chloe Moretz not worth money Max Baker Opinion Editor

photo illustration by Alex Baker

The new book-to-movie adaptation was released last week, which promised an emotional rollarcoster of love. Unfortunately, “If I Stay” falls victim to false advertising. The movie adaptation of Gayle Forman’s bestselling novel of the same name premiered Aug. 22 to mixed reviews from critics, but while the movie embodies Forman’s message about the issues of love and loss, the execution of the message can only be described as scatterbrained.

The movie centers itself around future comatose patient Mia Hall, played by Chloe Grace Moretz, who has an out-of-body experience and must decide whether or not to stay with her boyfriend Adam, played by Jamie Blackley, or move on to the next life with her family after a fatal car accident.

Most of the character development happens when Mia has awkwardly placed flashbacks about the previous two years when she falls in love with Adam. This half of the movie wasn’t dramatic. It focuses on Mia, the classical cellist, falling in love with Adam, the upand-coming punk rocker. Both of these characters destroyed what someone might consider a dramatic movie for different reasons.

Adam tried to act like a punk rocker, but he looked more like an awkward chicken bobbing his head to a guitar riff. This movie tried not to write Adam off as a stereotype, but it did. Blackley clearly tried his best with the character, but he just couldn’t develop anything beyond the boundaries that were set for him.

Mia, unlike Adam, developed from a quiet, almost mousy girl into something more. On screen, the audience could feel Mia’s uncertainty towards her family, her decisions and even her boyfriend. However, Moretz’s portrayal of Mia never evolved past the comatose patient she played nor did she manage to express the love Mia had for Adam.

Wake up and smell the coffee

Students rely on various coffee, donut shops around Munster for quality coffee, unique, relaxing environments, reasonable prices for their morning caffeine boost before school walls and chalkboard menu add flair to Grindhouse.

With multiple tables available, Grindhouse Café welcomes all students that wish to come and study.

Another school year begins. For many students, Expect great alternative music selections, a decent that means going back to the familiar schedule of sized food and drink menu and free Wi-Fi access. getting up earlier and going to bed later. To help adGrindhouse Café also offers the cheapest iced cofjust to this schedule, students often need extra caf- fee, with 16 ounces priced at only $1.95. The fake, syrfeine to get them through the day. upy taste many cafés have introduced did not make The various coffee places in and around town all an appearance at Grindhouse; seem the same, but using rather, the coffee tasted not each to a student’s advantage Artificial Energy too sweet and not too bitter.

Caffeine’s journey through the body plays a big part in adjusting With table service, locally In any coffee shop, stu- and into the brain grown coffee beans and high dents should always look Step 1: quality coffee drinks, GrindAfter consumption, caffeine enters the for at least three main attrihouse Café keeps the café blood stream and flows to the brain butes: low prices, a peaceful scene alive and well in Northatmosphere and great tasting Step 2: west Indiana.

The caffeine cells bind with drinks with a caffeine content For the quick morning cofadenosine receptors, preventing that makes up for those four fee stop, Starbucks, with less the molecule from slowing down or five hours of missed sleep. Step 3: of a personality than GrindWithout adenosine to bind to its Grindhouse Café in Grifhouse Cafe, in Schererville receptors, the caffeine causes the body to fith, Ind., is a family owned still possessed qualities to speed up rather then slow down business by brother and sister make a fast, 10-15 minute stop Gabriel and Kathryn Mauch highly enjoyable.

Source: www.science.howstuffworks.com and perfect for the weekend Some ideal factors include morning study session. speedy baristas, a convenient As soon as a customer walks in, he or she can feel drive-thru and the fact that many high school stuthe relaxed, classic coffee shop vibe. The multicolor dents do not come in the morning.

Mariah Villaroman Infocus Editor

Unfortunately, the iced coffee came with more ice than coffee. A customer at Starbucks pays $2.45 for a 16 ounce of coffee, compared to Grindhouse Café’s reasonably iced and priced coffee.

To get more caffeine for their dollar, customers should get the hot coffee instead of the iced coffee.

However, the coffee, made with all organic beans, can keep a student awake and alert through the school day, and is an easier stop than a 15-20 minute drive to Grindhouse Café.

A famous feat among several students, pulling an “all nighter,” proves next to impossible without a shot, or many shots, of caffeine.

Closed since May 7, Munster Donut opened its doors last week. Monday, Aug. 18, to many excited customers. Munster Donut, open 24 hours, delivers the classic diner feeling and hometown atmosphere.

Munster Donut offers the cheapest coffee at $1.55.

While Grindhouse Café and Starbucks may have higher quality coffee, Munster Donut’s coffee will definitely keep a student awake for the night.

Customers should make sure to grab a donut along with a cup of coffee, as they can’t get one like those at Starbucks or Grindhouse Café.

After all the hard work done to bring this wellloved novelty back, Munster Donut has plenty of seating and friendly service for the dedicated student who needs a break at two in the morning.

Crier/Aug. 29, 2014

7 sports

Road to state

With strong, new team, boys’ tennis works to achieve full potential

“A lot of underclassmen are already stepping up and the season hasn’t even begun yet,” Rivich said.

The lower-ranked players showing Less than two hours before the team’s first match of the season against Lake Cen- off their skills in challenge matches have tral, energy hums in the air like electricity. brought the season’s biggest surprise acThe first match starts the long, winding cording to Coach Lopez.

“So what has happened is that we have road toward the state championship. had a number of lower “Our biggest hope is ranked players successfulto keep our strengths Boys’ Varsity Tennis ly challenge higher ranked alive. If we can do that, Boys’ Tennis team prepares players and beat them,” that will lead us to the to play against North Central, path to Indianapolis,” with these players at the top of Coach Lopez said. “Thus, the initial lineup is not necCoach Lopez said. the herd essarily how it was projectTheir nearest large ed to have been at the stage obstacle, according to in the season.”

Coach Lopez, is this The results of those weekend: The North Arlo Detmer matches show the team’s Central Invite. The inBen Marcus depth, according to Coach vite is the largest meet Lopez. of the season, and is a Matt Marcus Sripad Kodukula, senior, great way to get a feel finds confidence in all the for the rest of the teams effort the team puts in. they’ll face further down Patrick Toth/ “(The team has) a lot of the line, a according to potential, and is working Coach Lopez.

Alex Wisniewski pretty hard,” Kodukula Their division has six Andrew Dorn/ said. “Every day, even if it’s of the 18 teams that are raining, we’re out there.”

Adam Richter in the top 25 in the state.

Coach Lopez says the Munster ranks 16th in the Source: Coach Lopez team can count on being state, and Coach Lopez known as competitive this year, but to go aims for the top three in the tournament.

“There’s a lot of good competition down their farthest, they to understand that tenthere. (It is) always a lot better than it is nis is a “12-month sport.”

“They know what I expect from them,” here,” said Ben Marcus, senior. “Winning is always good, but the main purpose is to said Coach Lopez. “And as long as they’re willing to work hard and accept it, then get better,” Nevertheless, Marcus feels confident in that earns my respect for them.”

Coach Lopez hopes to see the team conthe team’s overall chances in the upcomtinue to improve, because the road ahead ing season.

“We didn’t lose too much last year and is a match-by-match progression.

“I would like to see the best possible we have a lot of returning varsity this year, and in my opinion I think we’ll be a lot bet- performances from each and every player on a daily basis,” Coach Lopez said. ter than we were last year,” Marcus said.

According to Rivich, in order to get Mike Rivich, senior, thinks the returning varsity members will be a big asset. He where they want to go, they cannot stop describes the team as very “senior strong” pushing for their goals.

“Perseverance this year is going to be this year.

“There’s a lot of untapped potential in key. Since we have so much potential, there’s a lot on our backs,” Rivich said. “If the senior grade,” Rivich said.

However, not just the oldest players are there’s any year we’re going to go down to state it’s going to be this year.” looking promising, according to Rivich.

Danie Oberman News Editor

Singles: 1.

2.

3.

Doubles: 1.

2.

photo by Ray Ojel

SERVING A PURPOSE Jumping, Alex Wisniewski serves the ball in a match against Lake Central. “Our coach always tells us in order to win a double match you have to get your serve in first, and I did.” Wisniewski said.

Boy’s, Girls’ soccer: heading into the season

Boys’, Girls’ soccer teams open up season with tough competition, harsh training, desire for successful season

“At practice we spend a lot of time playing possession and small-sided Erin Gallagher games,” Dan Green, senior, said.

Sports Editor With 13 seniors on the roster, the Mustangs want to make memories this Last week, boys’ soccer opened their season, according to Green. season with a successful 4-0 win over “This is probably the last time most Portage. of us will ever play organized soccer,” “I think it (the game against Por- Green said. “We want to go far in posttage) proved that we have a strong de- season and represent Munster in the fense because we didn’t best way we can.” let any goals in, and it Boys’ Results: Many challenging opshowed that we have a Munster v. Portage 4-0 ponents, such as Lake strong offense because Central, will test the team, 7-0 we put four goals in the Munster v. Lowell according to Hofferth. back of the net,” Xavier Munster v. Kankakee 4-0 Coach Prasopoulos beHofferth, senior, said. lieves that every team is source: Coach Prasopoulos The Mustangs have a possible threat to the spent the past two weeks Mustangs this season. preparing for the season with regular “Every team is fair game, we need training sessions, according to Coach to be prepared each time we step onto Jim Prasopoulos. the field. True athletes don’t play the

Boys’ Soccer

according to Coach Pflum.

“We are watching films, doing drills and rotating players till we find someone who figures out what they’re supposed to do,” Coach Pflum said about preparing for her goal to win Conference.

Girls Soccer Coach Pflum encourages her playJordan Szymanski ers to have goals for themselves, as Sports Editor well. “(Goals) for my team are to win ConWith their season underway, girls’ ference and Sectionals, Cami Kekelik, sophomore, said. soccer focuses on challengWith these goals, eves they must overcome to Girls’ Results: eryone’s eyes seem to be reach their goals.

Munster v. Adams 5-1 on the prize.

“We are young, but we “We had a scrimmage have some nice returning Munster v. Marian 0-2 players,” Coach Valerie Munster v. North Ridge 1-1 Saturday, and we have a tournament this weekPflum said. source: Coach Pflum end, so now we are trying Of the 25 girls, their bigto identify weaknesses gest weakness proves to be intuitiveness. The team emphasizes the and shorten up all the little mistakes,” importance of practice to correct this, Coach Pflum said. game of ‘who’s a tough team or who’s an easy team,’ Prasopoulos said, “True athletes play well no matter who’s the competition.”

8 sports

Crier/Aug. 29, 2014

VICTORIOUS Yelling in triumph, Tyler Steapleton, senior, and his teammates celebrate after a 24-21 victory against Lake Central.

After much anticipation, the Mustangs managed to defeat the Indians in a last minute field goal. photo by Natalia Bilek

Something to Shout about Varsity football prepares for season after victory Amanda Jones News Editor

V

arsity Football prepares to play against Ches-

terton at home tonight.

The new season began with a game against Lake Central (LC) Aug. 22, which was considered one of the harshest competitions last year because Lake Central had an almost mistake-free performance, according to Seth Gutwein, senior.

The conditions proved difficult at the Lake Central game, according to Coach Leroy Marsh.

“The heat, humidity and quality of our opponents made it (the game) difficult,” Coach Marsh said.

During the game, the LC players continued to utilize all of their skills they had, ensuring a close score.

“There were some low points, but I still kept faith through the game that we would win,” Adam Ostoich, senior, said.

The Mustangs ended up winning 24-21, with a game-winning, 32-yard field goal from Matt Childs, senior.

The win against the Lake Central Indians could not have been possible without the coaches, according to Ostoich.

“I was excited for my coaches because they spent all summer preparing and getting us in a position to

win,” Ostoich said.

From the beginning in the summer to the end of the season, the team has practices every day, figuring out new plays and trying to perfect their strengths.

“Our strengths would definitely be our offensive skills set. We have a lot of speed, which will make it difficult on opposing teams,” Ostoich said.

Although the team has more skill than last year, the linemen have less experience than the rest of the team, according to Coach Marsh.

“The team still needs to work on their fundamental skills to become even better,” Coach Marsh said.

The team expects to win Conference and go far into the playoffs, according to Ostoich.

“I hope to do as much for the team as I possibly can,” Ostoich said.

They worked hard, and they can finally show off what they have learned, according to Coach Marsh.

“I have a fun time coaching, and they are a very hardworking group of men,” Coach Marsh said.

The players love to play with the people they spend much of their summer and school year with and just take it one day at a time, according to Ostoich.

“I’m excited to be on the field with my best friends and play the sport we love,” Ostoich said.

Outrunning Expectations

Cross country teams open their seasons with open minds; set high goals

Boys’ Cross Country Meena Kandallu Copy Editor After ending last season with a 13th place finish at State, the boys’ cross country team begins a new season with an optimistic outlook, according to Coach Aaron Brown.

“So far, everyone’s a lot faster than they were last year,” Coach Brown said. “They have been training for a long time now, and I do see potential in them as long as they keep improving.”

The implementation of morning practices on Monday and Wednesday contribute to the ultimate goal for the season, according to Theo Burgwald, junior.

“Our goal is to go top two at Semi-state and go top five at State,” Burgwald said. “We’ve been training a lot harder so far this season, so hopefully we’ll be able to do that.”

Coach Brown also considers avoiding injuries an important factor in achieving this goal.

“In order for the team to do as well as I think they

can do, we have to keep improving throughout the season and stay injury free,” Coach Brown said.

Despite the obstacles, Coach Brown believes that they possess the ability to become Munster’s most successful boys’ cross country team.

“I told the team they had the potential to be the best team Munster has ever had,” Coach Brown said.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how they react to being potentially one of the best teams in the state and seeing how they react under the pressure.

Girls’ Cross Country Chloe Wineinger Infocus Editor For Coach Kyleen Nolan, girls’ cross country season means an opportunity to advance the skills of seasoned athletes and explore the potential of newcomers.

“We have two new runners who are in varsity, and we’ve got a ton of freshmen on the team,” Coach Nolan said. “I think our depth this year is stronger than what it’s been in past years.”

Brittany Barajas, senior, credits the wider diversity

this year for setting Munster apart from other teams.

“A lot of other teams have just a couple good runners, but our team has a lot of depth,” Barajas said.

“I’m really excited to see how we do this season because we have a lot of solid runners.”

Training for the upcoming season includes running even longer distances than last year, according to Erin Harvath, senior.

“We’re stepping up our training to get a lot more miles in, so when the meets actually start, we’re more prepared,” Harvath said.

Another change from last season includes the introduction of Assistant Coach Nolan as head coach.

Coach Nolan’s goal of becoming a good influence has driven her in her new task.

“Athletics play a big role in students’ lives, and because of that, I wanted to be a good mentor,” Coach Nolan said.

Nolan admits that trying to enforce valuable rules within the group serves as one of her biggest efforts.

“I’m trying to instill a good work ethic in the girls, to respect and encourage others, and to have fun with all the hard workouts we do,” Coach Nolan said.