2.17.17

CR C RI EER R MUNSTER HIGH SCHOOL

vol. 51/issue 8/feb. 17, 2017

inside look Page 3: Crier reviews classic/contemporary novels Page 8: Students discuss President Trump’s Executive Orders

page 9

upcoming

Boys’ Basketball plays at Andrean in Conference tonight at 7 p.m.

Turnabout dance tomorrow night 7-10 p.m. in Fieldhouse Tim DeRolf, senior, is Turnabout King

No school Monday for President’s Day Last day for Pennies for Pacheco. Donate in any class. All proceeds go to Officer Pacheco and his family

8808 Columbia Ave. Munster, IN 46321

g n i r u s u a e p m t o N During Eating Disorder Awareness Week, students open up about their struggles with eating disorders Chloe Wineinger Design Chief

Since freshman year, body dysmorphia has plagued the thoughts of Hannah Ernst, senior. Because

of the way she viewed herself, she began skipping lunch in school and lying to others about how hungry she was. Her habit eventually took a toll on her body when she became depressed last year, losing the energy to eat and 30 lbs. along with it.

“Anorexia restricts me from eating on a normal meal schedule,” Hannah said. “When I feel I eat too much, I feel guilty and skip even more meals. I habitually weigh myself and freak out if I see any fluctuation in my weight.

I am incapable of seeing myself for what I am in the mirror and constantly pick out all my flaws, even ones that seem irrational. I’m confined to living my life through the validation of numbers.”

continued on page 6 photo illustration by Lauren Kozy

2

news

feb. 17, 2017

SIDE NOTE on news Ping Pong Club

What: Ping Pong Club Where: MHS Commons When: Tuesdays from 3-5 p.m.

Ping Pong Club, now sponsored by Mr. Michael Dempsey, study hall supervisor, held thier first meeting last Wednesday.

“This is a chance for students to hang out with their friends after school, play Ping Pong, meet some new people,” Mr. Dempsey said.

ISSMA

What: ISSMA State Solo and Ensemble competition Where: Indianapolis When: February 25 Next Saturday, Band attends the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) competition in Indianapolis.

Out of the 28 events that tried out for the competition, 18 of them made it.

“You go to ISSMA to do solos and other ensembles,” Luciano Medina, junior, said. “It’s just fun having the experience that kind of forces you to practice on your own and be creative.”

Corrections

In issue seven of Crier, the graphic on page one should cite the School Town of Munster Transparency Page as the source and the photos on pages one and twelve should credit Ian Brundige as the photographer. Page two should include that in addition to Mrs. Deb Delooff, who was identified incorrectly, there is a new Guidance secretary, Ms. Tracie Tholen. Also, in “Go for the AU,” the story should indicate that “Positively Quarky” is written on the back of the Science Olympiad shirts with the nickname above. Page three should indicate that the Best Buddies Bowl took place Jan. 17. Junior Michael Edington’s quote on page six should read, “Keep him in your thoughts and prayers.” In addition, the names of Resource Officer Joe Pacheco and junior John Groen were misspelled.

On page seven, senior Ian Merkel was mentioned in the caption without appearing in the photo. Finally, on page 11, Swim Coach Mathew Pavlovich’s name was misspelled and senior Matt Dempsey’s quote should read, “When I dove into the water my goggles fell off.”

Crier regrets these errors.

Breaking in

Boston

Speech and Debate competes at Harvard on Saturday Mimi Brody Page Editor

Yesterday, eight members of the Speech and Debate team boarded a plane and flew 960 miles to compete at the 43rd Annual Harvard National Forensics Tournament Saturday, one of their few national tournaments.

“Harvard is on the national circuit, which is composed of competitors from all over the country, as opposed to our more local tournaments,” Alex Bleza, senior, said.

“Harvard is also a three-day tournament as opposed to our usual one-day tournament. The only national tournaments we go to outside of Nationals are Harvard, Glenbrooks, and Minneapolis, so it is a lot different than are typical tournaments.”

National circuit tournaments, such as Harvard, provide the competitors with a greater challenge than local tournaments, which the team finds both exciting and helpful in preparing for Nationals in June. At large national tournaments, the number of entries are vastly greater than those in state. At last year’s tournament, Alex recalls having more than 300 people entered in some events.

“I would say there is a lot of pressure on us to do well. Our coaches always tell us that these national tournaments early in the season are the best at getting us prepared for Nationals in June,” Alex said. “This is a really good opportunity to see where we are at right now, and what still needs to get better. At the same time, our coaches are very encouraging and they never tell us that we have to win, they say we have to uphold the Munster standard.”

Competing on the national debate circuit also presents challenges regarding style, as the rules are different than those of an in-state competition.

“In debate, not only do you have the best people from all over the country, but they also run very unique and specific cases, which are much more methodical than those in Indiana tournaments,” Shreyas Iyer, sophomore, said. “Also on the national circuit, you face opponents who can spread or speak faster than 600 words a minute, which is very difficult to respond to.”

Outside from competing the team is also excited to enjoy the exploring the city together.

“We actually get to tour a little bit of Boston before we go to compete too, which is always fun,” Alex said.

“On Friday we will sleep in, which is rare, and we (will) walk the Freedom Trail and do other sightseeing.”

The team bonding is the best part about trips long away from home, according to Alex.

Highest honors

photo by Easan Venkat

PLAYING THE PART Practicing her prose peice Alex Bleza, senior, prepares for the Harvard. “A prose interpretation is when you take a piece of literature and bring it to life through acting. My prose interpretation this year is about a Yazidi girl who escapes persecution from ISIS,” Alex said.

“At these longer tournaments you get to share meals together and share rooms to- Suit Up gether which is always fun,” Alex said. “You Maya Radjenovich, just get the opportunity to know your team sophomore, talks about the speech dress code on a much more personal level.”

For the debate team in par“When it comes to ticular, they know they will face hair, up-dos for sure. stiff competition, as Harvard is We are always trying considered a last chance for to make them more teams to qualify for the Tourthan a simple bun or a ponytails. Ponytails nament of Champions. are not acceptable.”

“Harvard is the end of the national circuit season “Pearls are just for a and it is the last time teams cleaner look, it pulls can pick up Tournament of the outfit together Champions bids,” Shreyas more so than just said. “Even though March wearing a suit.” is the absolute end, February is the last month you “Heels are a must. can pick up Tournament of Mr. Mayer says you can wear flats, Champions bids so you can but wear heels. It expect the most competitive makes you look teams in the country coming to so much more the tournament and they will be polished.” more prepared than any time in source: Maya Radjenovich, the season.”

Students recognized by national, state organizations for dedication to academics, government

Jake Ingoglia,

Annie Ostojic,

recognized by the

recognized by the

senior

United States Senate Youth Program

Student Body President Jake Ingoglia, senior, will step up from student government to United State Senate Youth Program.

“A lot of people take sinister views towards government,” Jake said. “I always try to get involved with these kind of things especially because it’s such an awesome opportunity with all the things I’ll be able to do and see in DC.” Touring Capitol Hill, he will meet President Donald Trump and Supreme Court Justices. Jake credits this feat to his willingness to engage in activities during high school, a quality he encourages in other students.

“I would say branch out, make sure not to be scared of new experiences,” Jake said. “Not to have a closed mind when you hear about different activities or extracurriculars that you have the possibility of doing because most of them that I have done have been incredible experiences just one after another has been fantastic, so don’t be afraid to branch out.”

freshman

National Center for Women & Information Technology

Since she was in kindergarten presenting her rock collection to her class during show and tell, Annie Ostojic, freshman, has been interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Last month, Annie added to her list of achievements and was recognized by the National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT) as a state winner.

Annie has typically participated in more national competitons like the White House Science Fair.

“At this event, we were all able to relate because of the state we are in,” Annie said. “NCWIT had people from Indiana University, Purdue, different Indiana Universities so Its more based up the actual state.”

Because she is only a freshman Annie has not decided what she wants to do in her future but she wants it to be STEM related.

“I probably want to major in engineering or a medical field I do want to go to college and keep doing what I’m doing with STEM because I really enjoy it,” she said.

sophomore

Ian Brundige Managing Editor

Perima Shah,

senior earned the

Lilly Endowment to attend Indiana school of her choice

Receiving her acceptance letter, filling out her housing application forms, every step of the college process was less stressful for Perima Shah, senior, after she learned she received the Lilly Endowment, which is a full ride except for room and board to any college in Indiana. Perima is committed to Indiana University.

“I was so extremely happy and I honestly wasn’t expecting it. I didn’t really know if I had a good shot at it,” Perima said. “I was really planning on having to pay for college. Honestly, I feel really blessed that I only have to pay that much so I can save up to go to med school, which is my end goal.”

Through extracurriculars like Science Olympiad, Perima has found the path she would like to pursue.

“For me specifically, I always knew I wanted to do STEM, so doing things like Science Olympiad and an internship I did with Purdue, they really helped me focus my direction into STEM and help me understand the broader spectrum of what’s available,”she said.

feb. 17, 2017

news

3

Gears in

Motion Robotics goes to Districts March 3-5, building robot ends Feb. 21 Carey Scott Page Editor

In the workshop, Robotics is always busy.

Whether it be yelling over the sound of their own work, or repairing the product of all their labor.

Robotics captain, Jenna Cappo, senior, works with her team every day after school in order to make their robot the best it can be before Districts.

“Right now, we are finishing up building, making sure everything is working, and we also prep the drivers of the robot and teach them how to control it,” Jenna said.

The team has three mentors that assist the rest of the team in building, as well as ensuring that everything goes smoothly.

“I’m one of the mentors, the school sponsor,” Mrs. Lyndee Govert, math teacher, said. “We have other mentors too. Everyone is working very hard, it’s coming along nicely. I’m very proud of all of them.”

The team heads into the first of its four District competitions, the Tippecanoe event, in West Lafayette. They will spend six full weeks making sure to get the final touches on their robot before Feb. 21, when they must seal the robot.

During their six weeks preparing, which they

photo by Danijela Kaurin

POWER UP Demonstrating the functions of the robot to Mr. Mark Kolodziej, retired science teacher and substitute, Laura Weller, junior, works on the team’s robot for it’s upcoming districts competition. “The robot picks up whiffle balls and stores up a large amount of them.” Laura said. “It also picks up large plastic gears and places them on the shaft.”

call build week, time is spent planning the initial design for their robot. Before build week, they need to map out a general itinerary and decide how they want their robot to look and function.

“Right now (on Feb. 6,) we’re about four weeks into the building process,” George Babus, junior, said. “It looks pretty good so far, we still have some work cut out for us though. Towards the end of build week, we’ll paint it.”

The competition takes the form of a game involving both the robot and one human player.

Jenna and Julian Ramirez, senior, are the human players for this first District competition.

The human players are there to assist the robot, not play the game themselves. The majority of the game consists of the robot being

controlled by one of the team members and achieving the main objectives of the game. The team has prepped their robot for the game as best they can with a plexiglass compartment to hold the whiffle balls and a shooter to fire them, and much more.

“It’s steampunk themed, medieval steampunk, and there’s makeshift air balloons, you could say, they have three propellers on them and you need to collect gears, bring them to this station, this giant tent in the middle and the human player has to put a gear onto the makeshift air balloon.” Jenna said. “The other objective is to collect and shoot whiffle balls, so you can either shoot them into a ten foot goal or a four foot goal.”

Competitive Enrollment Chloe Wineinger Design Chief

Voter’s assumptions may have been premature if they thought that Vice President Mike Pence was the only national influence Indiana would have this election. After Mrs. Betsy DeVos, a philanthropist and education activist from Michigan, won the Senate vote for Secretary of Education Feb. 7, Indiana may further influence the nation as a whole.

Although Mrs. DeVos is not from Indiana, she is in favor of the voucher system currently being used in Indiana, which she helped advocate for and tried to implement in Michigan. In this system, any student, whether from a public or private school, can apply for a voucher. This means that the state can fund them to go to a school of their choice instead of the school they were originally assigned to enroll into, usually the school in their neighborhood “There are those who believe it is society’s responsibility to fund our schools, create educational

lecture, and create an employable workforce,” Mr. Michael Gordon, government teacher, said. “There are others that see schooling as an individual opportunity to better oneself. The voucher system falls into the second camp that looks for individual families to choose the option that they believe serves their individual needs.”

While the voucher system may promote the freedom of choice, they leave some detrimental effects on the schools families choose to no longer attend, which are more commonly public schools; even

Voucher system, Betsy DeVos, changes in public education

more specifically, in lower income neighborhoods.

“The effect on public education is in the eye of the beholder,” Mr. Gordon said. “On the one hand, these movements of school reform have forced public schools to compete, a forced degree of efficiency, of innovation, to draw students to attend. But then came the starving of the beast. We’re being forced to increase class sizes, teacher work loads, and the student-teacher ratio that is so fundamental to quality education.”

Though he is not a voucher student,

Funding one side The state gives the School Town of Munster $5,013 for every student at MHS, as of 2015. When vouchers from state funding go towards school of the student’s choice, it takes away funding from school they choose not to go to.

State funding

$

$

$ +$

student

-$

school of student’s choice school normally enrolled to in district source: The Post Tribune

Vince Ivetich, junior, sees from the perspective of a student outside the school district as a tuition student.

Using the schools in the area as an example of the issue with allocating money in voucher programs, he could see the advantages and problems that can grow from this system.

“I am paying extra to go here every year and it’s not terribly extra but it’s definitely worth it because I feel like I’m getting the best education possible here especially because it’s a nationally known school,” Vince said. “I see the future of the voucher program—hopefully it’s not going to be abused in the area. There are a lot of public schools that are losing money because of a large use of vouchers. It’s like Andrean and Bishop Noll, they have an abundance over there. I’m not necessarily going so far as saying we need to close down those schools to prevent losing money from this school, but we definitely need to reassess and figure out where money needs to go so that every school can get the best funding possible.”

4 speakout

feb. 17, 2017

Minority column

Report

Ian Brundige Managing Editor

cartoon by Gavin Hamilton

GOING PRIVATE Other schools may be empty, but Munster sure isn’t! After Mrs. Betsy DeVos’ voucher system, Munster Charter School has 5,000 students from all over the region, while others only have 100. Thanks for getting rid of public schools Betsy; Go Mustangs!

editorial

Don’t vouch for us

If a construction worker was hired to be solely responsible for the construction of the tallest building in the world, yet he had never worked on, observed, seen, or even been to a building before in his life, would you feel confident living on the top floor? Of course not.

Unfortunately, this seems to be similar to the state of our public school system in the hands of Mrs. Betsy DeVos, newly appointed secretary of education.

DeVos Mrs. DeVos has been under OUR Betsy is unqualified constant scrutiny since her TAKE and will be a cabinet nomination by Presidestructive force for dent Trump because she lacks public schools the sheer experience for her job. This is often a critique of many government officials thrown around in political conversation. A plain “she does not know what she is doing” is a momentous understatement.

Much like our hypothetical construction worker, Mrs. DeVos has never worked in, run, attended or even sent her children to an American public school. In addition, she has talked publicly in her hearing about her distaste and lack of support for public education—it is no wonder she wants to undermine the institution all together.

Mrs. DeVos aims to create a voucher system that would transfer the public funding per student

available to public schools through tax payers to any school of the tax payers choice. This would mean that each student would receive a check for X amount of money the public school in his or her area would otherwise receive from the state for that student. Then, this student would not be limited to attending the public school in their area; instead they would cash this check with any school of his or her choice.

In theory, this means a student from MHS who would prefer to attend Andrean, a religious private school, could receive a voucher valid toward Andrean’s tuition.

This is a destructive thought for public education, and even more alarming, Mrs. DeVos has donated millions to help groups create such a system—now she is in charge of the entire structure.

Mrs. DeVos’ nomination is also discouraging as it squanders chances of reviving public education with added research, funding, and restorations. Instead, we face an era where our high school can become a thing of the past, demolished under Mrs. DeVos’ hopes for vouchers and charter schools.

Living on the top floor of a poorly constructed building by an unqualified worker is unnerving. A public education system in the hands of Mrs. DeVos is like watching our building crumble under our feet, with us the students, having little say in it.

Last year when Twitter was on fire with #oscarssowhite, I thought I understood why.

It was a simple systematic problem that only affected actors trying to get work and recognition in their industry. But as a I read the list of movies nominated for Best Picture this year, I realized how impactful it is to feel represented.

I understand that if you have experienced representation your entire life, you can not possibly understand the full scope of empowering effects it can have on a child, community or entire population. But as a member of the African American community, one which is in many ways just now being brought into the light, the feeling is a new surprise one which I think is vital to children’s confidence and the success of the film industry. This year, while #riposcarssowhite seems to be the popular trend, I am left feeling guilty because it seems more like #oscarssowhite&black, which is not much better.

Three out of nine movies nominated for Best Picture feature predominantly African American actors or focus on stories from an African American point of view—which is great, a clear improvement from last year.

But after I felt that joy, which I imagine white people all over the America have felt for years, I wanted everyone to feel it. That does not mean I do not think white people should not be represented anymore, but instead, that everyone should. I wish “Hell or High Water” featured an Asian-American among its amazing cast and that there were three “Lion’s” featuring amazing performances from Indian-Americans. I wish more film studios would look to animation and dive deep into unfamiliar cultures like Disney’s “Moana” or LAIKA’s “Kubo and the Two Strings.”

Yes, the Academy Awards may proportionally represent America’s population, but at some point we have to realize that one story a year cannot represent an entire group of people—even if that group of people is a minority within this country. Even if a group is minorities their stories should matter to the majority.

While the Oscars line up is definitely more inclusive this year, there is still work to be done. We should be working towards more diverse casting within one movie instead of having three black movies, a whole bunch of white movies and one Indian movie. I am ready to see good movies from qualified humans about interesting humans featuring talented and diverse humans.

To some the Oscars may not matter. They can be pretentious and not representative of many successful and important aspects of the film industry. But influential institutes, like the Academy Awards, hold the power to motivate or stifle youth by the amount diversity they place on their stage.

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

•The newspaper serves as a public forum and 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 must be signed and should be given

directly to any staff member or delivered to the Publications room, N155, one week prior to publication. Letters must not contain personal attacks against an individual. Editors reserve the right to edit for length, clarity, and grammatical errors. Crier will accept letters from anyone, provided that the content pertains to school or school issues. Feedback may also be submitted on Twitter @munstermedia.

Mailed subscriptions cost $25 per year. Ad rates and policies are available to anyone upon request. Crier is published 13 times a school year.

Copy Editor Joseph Bermudez Graphics Editor Gavin Hamilton Page Editors Mimi Brody, Josh Kim, Sofía Navarro, Danie Oberman, Carey Scott Business Manager Joseph Bellahcen Head Photographer Weronika Bilek

The Staff Editor-in-Chief Jordan Szymanski

Chief Photographer Danijela Kaurin

Design Chief Chloe Wineinger

Photographers Joseph Bellahcen, Lauren Kozy, Vrusti Patel, Melanie Powers, Austin Skeens, Kess Vaitkus, Easan Venkat, Summer Witvoet

Managing Editor Ian Brundige

Adviser Ms. Sarah-Anne Lanman

feb. 17, 2017

Classic to contemporary

In honor of National Library Month, Crier staffers review new YA novels that link to old literary favorites Danie Oberman Page Editor

Olympic gold

Carey Scott Page Editor

“The Odyssey” vs. “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” series Homer’s “The Odyssey” is a classic story about the tales of Odysseus and Greek mythology. The “Percy Jackson & the Olympians” series by Rick Riordan tackles a more modern-day version of Greek mythology by having teenagers as the main characters.

Although the bare bones of the books are shockingly similar, there are some differences in the plots. “The Odyssey” takes on a more serious tone, and while the “Percy Jackson” books can have their serious moments, the content is more relaxed and humorous, and the language is more modern. There are also plenty of more prevalent female characters throughout the “Percy Jackson & the Olympians” series, as opposed to those in “The Odyssey,” who often only stick around for a chapter or two.

The series also teaches readers about mythology, while still managing to keep things interesting with drama, romance, adventure and much more.

The next big adventure

“Of Mice and Men” vs. “Perfect Escape” Let’s be real: “Of Mice and Men” isn’t really “favorite book” material. It’s too short to develop any real plot or characters, most people can’t relate to being a migrant farmworker in the 1930’s, and who likes sad endings anyway?

Luckily, Jennifer Brown’s “Perfect Escape” tosses all of that out the window, while still carrying the elements that shot John Steinbeck’s’ novella straight onto summer reading lists.

The protagonist of this book is Kendra, a “perfect” high school senior whose older brother Grayson has severe OCD— her “Lennie.” Their migration occurs when Kendra gets caught cheating and she packs up Grayson and runs away with only the cash in their wallets.

Just like in “Mice,” the characters are realistic and diverse. While Kendra’s story has a more ambiguous ending, it leaves you thinking instead of crying.

So if your English teacher hands you “Of Mice and Men,” don’t worry. Just grab a copy of “Perfect Escape” to go with it.

spotlight

5

photo by Melanie Powers

Back to school

“A Separate Peace” vs. “Paper Covers Rock” Although they take place 40 years apart, both “A Separate Peace” by John Knowles and “Paper Covers Rock” by Jenny Hubbard have very similar themes: both discuss breaking societal norms of the time period in which they take place, focus on serious topics such as death of a close friend, and use athletics as a mainframe for the plot. Alex, the main character in “Paper Covers Rock,” has a harrowing tale of trying to keep up with his lies while maintaining a relationship with the new English teacher who might know too much about his secrets. Alex is faced with many questions. What is more valuable? To support one’s friends or uphold the truth? To pursue one’s own passions or protect the status quo?

Like Knowles’ Gene, Alex has a hand in the death of a friend, but with a few other students involved. They pressure Alex to keep their involvement a secret, even though he still feels incredibly guilty.

The story doesn’t stop there—many more things come; peer pressure, a student teacher relationship, hiding behind lies, and much more, but what’s the fun in spoilers?

Just like “A Separate Peace,” “Paper Covers Rock” is sure to have your heart racing with anticipation from page one.

New kid in the book

“The Catcher in the Rye” vs. “It’s Kind of a Funny Story” It’s not hard to understand why Holden Caulfield is so famous: a lonely, misunderstood teenager who wants to just get away from it all? Timeless. Unfortunately, the setting of “The Catcher in the Rye,” published in 1951, is much less so. That’s why Ned Vizzini’s “It’s Kind of a Funny Story” is for everyone who wants the timeless story to feel a little more timely.

The premise is simple: Craig, a high school student suffering from depression, is committed to a mental ward after a near suicide attempt.

But the story is so much more. It centers on a teenage boy who is brutally honest to the reader but cynical and mistrustful of the outside world, adores his little sister, uses drugs, is in a one-sided romantic infatuation, and is mentally ill.

Sound familiar? It should.

What’s cool about Craig’s story, though, is that it shows you the parts Holden’s leaves off. It’s only implied that Holden is in some sort of mental facility. Craig takes the reader inside, and we watch him heal instead of break down.

For those who loved J.D. Salinger’s “Catcher,” “It’s Kind of a Funny Story” centers around another troubled, realistic, lovable character. For those who weren’t into it, Craig’s story offers a fresh plot with themes that are, truly, timeless.

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6

infocus

feb. 17, 2017

p u g n i r u s Not mea

Her problem originally stemmed from having weight issues from a young age.

“I struggled with my weight my entire life and always compared myself to my peers, constantly wishing I was skinny like my friends and girls in magazines,” Hannah said. “The question constantly perplexing me was, ‘Why didn’t I look the same as them? Why couldn’t I have tiny legs and a flat stomach if I ate just as much as them?’”

Hannah still struggles with anorexia today, but to a less extreme extent, and chooses not to focus on it as much anymore because it is a natural part of her life.

“I cope by prioritizing other issues in my life that I feel carry more importance,” Hannah said. “Because it’s normal to me now, I don’t think of it all that much but when I look at it retrospectively, it’s a mental illness that cannot be solved simply by ignoring it and hoping it will go away.”

ge continued from pa

they said. And then I started to realize, ‘Hey, maybe you’re not as fat as you think you are. I mean, just because you’re maybe over 100 pounds by three pounds, that doesn’t make you fat.’ I had this thing where I didn’t want to reach 100 pounds, like ever in my life. And people thought I was crazy but it felt realistic to me.”

It all started with a traumatic family event in seventh grade. Adding a couple of bullies, a lowered sense of self-confidence, and a diagnosis with clinical depression, Alex Kojich, freshman, was sent down the scary and lonely road of developing unhealthy eating habits. His habits became so extreme that he avoided eating entirely.

“Most of the people were bullying me about my weight or my looks, and ever since then, about a year ago, I’ve been afraid to eat,” Alex said. “It’s hard for me to even look people in the eye nowadays because when I see other people, I think of what I want to be, and it’s at the point where I’m just afraid of touching food.”

For Alex, his lack of confidence was partially attributed to not being able to live up to the standards his brother inadvertently set for him.

“I was jealous of my brother. My brother was what I wanted to be,” Alex said. “He was thin, and people talked to him. No one would really talk to me and I wasn’t thin.”

Starving himself also served as a mode of selfharm, an outlet for the pain he was going through.

“People who would starve themselves, those who self-harm, that’s their way of dealing with it,” Alex said. “I was like that, and I thought that, well, if

1

there’s no one who cares about me and I’m tired of all this mental pain, I need physical pain to know that I’m still alive, that I’m still here.”

Since seeing a therapist, he has improved and tries to deal with his emotions in a more healthy manner by discussing his feelings with friends and writing music and stories. Although he was afraid to reach out for help due to being judged, he now places emphasis on having a support group.

“Anyone who’s going through depression, or anxiety, or anything that has to deal with your self image-—someone who’s been through a lot—those people aren’t alone,” Alex said. “There’s someone out there who knows what they’re going through, who knows what they feel like. It’s smart to tell someone, it’s smart to talk to somebody. I always tell (people who struggle with mental health or eating disorders) that unless someone knows, you can’t get help.”

Part of the reason why it is so difficult for people to discuss their issues is because how misunderstood they feel by the rest of society.

“Some people actually don’t realize how serious There are some who deal with eating it is, even the person going through it,” Erianna said. “I mean, they’re like in a dream. The world disorders who don’t want to admit to themaround them doesn’t seem to understand what selves that they have one. They are hidden in they’re going through.” plain sight: the ones who are always busy and Part of the causation is pressure from the media “never find the time” to sit down and eat a and society who show preference towards being meal. This also conveniently allows them to thin, especially for girls, according to Hannah. save calories and not gain any more weight.

“Not to say there aren’t boys and men affected Erianna Sims, freshman, has found herself by these disorders, but they predominantly affect in this predicament since seventh grade. young girls and women because we are placed Throughout her whole day, she will somewith the burden of striving for perfection our times only sit down to eat a yogurt once entire lives and it negatively impacts our self-esfor dinner. It becomes even worse when Someone you care If you want to help teem and body image,” Hannah said. “Perfecshe has Color Guard and Winter Guard about may have an someone... tion simply doesn’t exist and as a society, we practice, in which she would bring a need to let people know that everyone’s body snack to and not eat anything else for eating disorder if they... is different and that’s okay.

If a larger range of the rest of the day. talk to them when you know body types were represented in the media, girls skip meals, eat in small “I try to hide as best as I can,” Erianna the conversation will not be wouldn’t feel the need to change themselves said. “I mean, some people, close portions, refuse to eat in interrupted to fit the look of that model on the magazine friends, notice. And my parents started front of people, or eat in cover or their favorite celebrity.

We shouldn’t to notice that I’ve been losing weight strange and ritualistic ways shame those who are affected by eating disorseverely. Last year, actually, I joined encourage them towards ders because it really is the result of the greater Color Guard and that’s a lot of running recovery, even if they are in issue of unreasonable societal standards.” around and everything, and I wouldn’t obsess over losing denial However, it can be especially difficult to feel eat. (My parents) said you could really weight, irrationally fear validated in their struggle due to the lack of tell I was losing weight in my face. But to weight gain, or wear Do not promise to keep coverage in the media of eating disorders in me, I would look at my face and be like baggy clothes to mask their problem a secret if it males.

Alex generally feels that any person with ‘Oh my god, it’s huge.’ So the only way their body hurts them and prevents an eating disorder should be accounted for, to drop some of that weight is to not them from getting help regardless of gender. eat. And then I’d look at my hands, my exercise compulsively “It can happen to anyone. Those who befingers, and I’d be like ‘They’re big too,’ If you want to seek and tire easily lieve that girls only have eating disorders, that’s so that’s another reason not to (eat).” help... just what the public sees, but as far as I’m conIt was not until receiving encouragecerned, anyone can go through it,” Alex said. ment from her family and friends that deny that they have a open up to someone you “We’re all at risk in some way. This is going to she realized her mental image of herself problem trust or a physician sound weird, but people are always looking out was different from her reality. for the girls who are anorexic or who have an “I kind of (refrained from eating) for call the National Eating eating disorder and I understand that, but you myself,” Erianna said. “All the time the have difficulty Disorder Association Helpline always have to look out for everyone else. You people around me would be like, ‘No, concentrating at 1-800-931-2237 have to keep an eye for what’s going on in the you shouldn’t do that, it’s so unhealthy.’ source: Lisa Jameyfield, marriage and family therapist background.”

I’d listen, but I wasn’t following what

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feb. 17, 2017

infocus

7

Teachers win Student/Faculty Basketball game, money raised for Officer Pacheco

heers and whistles echoed off the Fieldhouse walls as teachers, students, police officers and community members watched the players in the Student/Faculty basketball game run up and down the court. Student Government members climbed the bleachers collecting donations. When all was said and done, the teachers won 49-48, and more than $4,570 dollars was raised to help Officer Joe Pacheco in his fight against cancer.

photo by Weronika Bilek

CROWNING GLORY Homecoming Queen Cami Kekelik, senior, hugs Tim DeRolf, senior, after crowing him Turnabout King.

All hail

the king Tim DeRolf, senior, wins Turnabout King

photo by Weronika Bilek

photo by Elisa Del Toro

TIP OFF Start of game

Kyle Buvala, senior, faces off against Coach Christian Young, volunteer assistant JV basketball coach, to start the game. “(The game) was different,” Coach Young said. “I’m used to playing actual games. It was a fun, different experience. We won, and winning is always fun.”

LOOKING FOR THE CHARGE First quarter

Defending against Andrew Opat, senior, Mr. Jeff Hamstra, math teacher, fell to the ground. He hoped the referees would call a charge and give the defending team the ball. However, the foul was on called on Mr. Hamstra. was not made. “I told the refs before the game that I was going to take a charge if anybody came within 10 feet of me, so I tried to take a charge and they didn’t call it, so I’m disappointed with Officer (Edward) Strbjak (referee),” Mr. Hamstra said. “(He) should have called the charge.”

BUZZER SHOT End of third quarter

photo by Weronika Bilek

The score is 33-31, and the students are in the lead. The buzzer sounds. Jaylan Scott, senior, lets the ball fly. The three pointer sinks into the net and the team cheers.

But it’s too late.

“It was on time. I don’t care what they say,” Jaylan said. “I feel like I got that ball up in time.”

In the last five seconds of the game, with the students down by one point, Jaylan had the ball again.

While this shot did not go in, he enjoyed the game despite the loss.

“We played hard,” Jaylan said. “Sometimes it doesn’t turn out the way we want.

My last shot should have went in, I shouldn’t have taken it, it was a bad shot. But overall we all played well. It’s always fun playing against the teachers.”

GAME BALL Pre-game

photo by Weronika Bilek

Before the game started, the players did a ceremonial jump ball, which was presented to Officer Pacheco. “I am humbled that everyone came out and supported this and gave donations and everything,” Officer Pacheco said. “I don’t know really how to thank them.”

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Danie Oberman Page Editor When Mr. Morgan Nolan, Vice Principal, called Tim DeRolf, senior, into the hallway, Tim was immediately worried about being in trouble. However, Mr. Nolan came bearing good news: Tim was elected onto Turnabout Court.

“It was definitely a surprise,” Tim said. “I was actually scared because Mr. Nolan came into the room saying that he wanted to talk to me, and I was like ‘Oh my gosh, what did I do?’ and then he said ‘You’re on Court, do you accept the nomination?’”

An even greater shock was when they announced his name as the winner.

According to Tim, he and his escort Emily Bratcher, a senior at LC, had not even planned on attending the dance.

“When they announced my name, (Emily and I) looked at each other and we’re like ‘Oh my gosh, we have so much to do now within two days.’ I have to get her flowers, she has to get shoes, thankfully she found a dress already,” Tim said.

Despite his win, Tim’s favorite part of the Student/Faculty game was seeing the support for Officer Pacheco.

“That was probably the best part of standing out on the court: it wasn’t the fact I was standing out there because I was on Turnabout Court, I was really happy because when I was standing out there, I saw just how big of an impact this event would have because of all the people that were in the bleachers,” Tim said.

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Example: “Congrats on getting into Harvard, Michael.

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8

infocus

feb. 17, 2017

Up

Speaking Continued from pg. 12 Sitting in class two months ago was different. Sometimes, she overheard it in conversation, but never to her face. Sitting in class three weeks ago after the presidential election, something had changed. Zoé Short, sophomore, knew politics mattered when a classmate called her a n*gger to her face, not once, but twice.

“A lot of people that support Donald Trump who I previously did not have issues with in the past, I am starting to have issues with,” Zoé said. “I’ve been called a n*gger like two different times since his election. That-—being called that—is different now because before, people would never think to say it in a racial slur kind of way, they would just say like ‘n*gga this, or n*gga that.’ I used to let that blow over, but saying it to offend someone; I’ve not tolerated that well.”

Immigration and foreign policy seems to be the focal point for President Trump’s first few weeks in office. However, race relations in the country are not far off issues, and for students like Zoé, the changing political atmosphere is creating issues close to home.

“People are becoming more comfortable showing how they really feel,” Zoé said. “They don’t have any shame with what they say anymore-—I think they should, but they don’t— and I think that is because the person in charge of the country can do it, why can’t they?”

at Town Hall on Jan. 30. Safa Chowdhury, senior, saw the impact a united community can have in such a time of distress for her Islamic faith.

“It was really nice to see these different kinds of people from different religions coming together for support,” Safa said. “Because really that’s all this was-—support. It is really nice for them to be supporting us in this hard time. I was really moved by it. We’re all family (in the Islamic faith). Even people I don’t know will come up to me at the mosque and hug me.

We’re always looking out for each other. It is probably the same as it is in the churches and the temples; it is no different. We are all one community.”

Many people have taken to calling Trump’s travel ban a Muslim ban because it specifically targets a religion. Safa has not experienced much direct criticism at MHS for being Muslim.

“I think we should be grateful to live in an area where most people are pretty accepting and understanding,” Safa said. “Especially after the protest everyone was more supportive rather than hateful, at least toward me, if there has been (hate) I haven’t noticed it here.”

Students like Zoé unfortunately have noticed it here, and she is not hopeful for a

change in hateful rhetoric unless a change in mindsets occurs.

“It’s a scary feeling that we can come from so many years of progress just to be set back because someone thinks, This presidency has ‘Oh, my President is doing it, been considered conwhy can’t I?’ I am afraid some troversial. In the last three days, and other days I’m not,” weeks, President Trump she said. signed 12 executive orders.

Zoé does not solely hold In addition, President President Trump accountable Trump issued 12 presidential for the racism she experiencmemorandums and two proces; however, she does believe lamations—totaling 26 exechis sterotyping is partially to utive actions. Including the blame. quantity of executive orders, “I feel like no one is born Eli Nerenberg, sophomore, a racist, its something you also grows more apprehen- Zoé Short, sophomore learn, and I don’t blame Donsive with the contents of each ald Trump for that,” Zoé said. order.

“I don’t think he knew he was “I think that we’ve had too going to get that far, I think he many executive orders,” Eli said. “And this kept telling people what they wanted to hear. happened before Trump, but I think it has got- And with all of the gang violence and terror ten worse under Trump. I am specifically con- attacks that have happened in our country’s cerned about the Muslim ban, or what you history, it easy to blame the stereotype races. could call a ban of people from seven majority I think people forget Muslims are not extremMuslim countries, because I feel like it opens ists. Or Mexicans are not drug lords. And not up an environment of discrimination under the all black people are thugs. I think people are disguise of security.” so quick to stereotype. But if you can separate a white Christian from a school shooter or the In response to the ban, local clergy KKK, then you can separate a Muslim extremist from temples and mosques organized a protest from a Muslim.”

think it’s “Ibecause if

the person in charge of the country can do it—why can’t they?”

photos by Weronika Bilek, Hidaya Musleh

MARCH ON CHICAGO Over the last few weeks protests have spurred around the country in response to President Trump’s administration. The Women’s March in Chicago brought crowds of over a thousand people to the city Jan. 21 to protest against the defunding of Planned Parenthood among other issues. Students like Zoé Short attended the march. WRITTEN RESISTANCE After the executive order issuing a travel ban on seven predominantly Muslim countries, Munster local clergy organized a protest at Munster Town Hall. Students like Safa Chowdury, senior attended the protest.

Executive action President Trump‘s executive order issuing the travel ban has taken a course through the court system Jan 27.

Trump signs executive order. Borders closed to certain people; thousands stranded at airports across globe

Feb. 4 Federal Judge in Seattle issues temporary blockage of Travel Ban

Now

President Trump has three options: 1. Appeal to Supreme Court 2. Fight in District Court 3. Rewrite Executive Order

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Feb. 9 Ninth Circuit court reaffirms lower court’s suspension of ban source: Washington Post

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feb. 17, 2017

9

sports Comparing

Apples & Oranges sports column Joseph Bermudez Copy Editor

photo by Kess Vaitkus

ONE-ON-ONE During the 64-60 win against Gary West Side, Tyler Zabrecky (22) searches for a teammate to pass the ball to while face to face with Emanuel Smith (10). “I love playing in the games,” Zabrecky said, “I felt good, I was focused, ready to play, and help my team win.”

Confidence for Conference Boys’ Basketball prepares for tonight’s Conference game at Andrean at 7p.m.

It is an important game for Boys’ Basketball. Not only is it a Conference game, but the team faces their rival, Andrean.

Unlike other years, this game is different for them. Instead of battling for first place, the two teams will compete for second.

“It’s an important game just because Andrean is kind of a rival of ours, and in the past. It’s usually been Andrean and us competing for the championship,” Coach Mike Hackett, health teacher, said. “But this year neither one of us can win the championship because Griffith is undefeated in Conference. Griffith beat us last Thursday, so we would actually be battling out for second place.”

Whether they are battling for first or second place, Tyler Zabrecky, sophomore, will give the same amount of effort as any other game.

“I don’t really feel pressure necessarily, I just want to do well for my teammates and for my coaches, because I know how much it means to them and it means a lot to me too,” Zabrecky said. “So I’m just trying to do my best, Conference or not.”

The team is composed mostly of underclassmen, only having two seniors;

ally young, so it kind of took us a while Jacob Strbjak, senior, is one of them.

“Since I am a senior, there is a little to get going, but I think we’re starting to pressure,” Strbjak said. “Everyone looks really come along.”

As team starts to improve, Coach to me as a leader and a role model and they depend on me making big plays. Hackett talks about the challenge they Since this is my senior year, and I am one will face when playing against Andrean.

“Andrean is really good. They’ve only of the best players on the team.”

Being a young team, it is important for lost two or three games. They’re a 3A each player to play their best individual- team and we’re a 4A team. But they’re ranked in the 3A in the top ly, but it is also essential for ten out of state,” Coach the players to be close to For the Starters Starting line-up for Boys’ Hackett said, “They’re a one another to play well. very good team and we’re “All of the teammates are Basketball. going to have to go to their close to each other,” Strbgym to play, so it’s going to jak said. “In order to have 22 Tyler Zabrecky be a challenging game.” a great team we have to be sophomore It will be a challenge for close and be like a family 11 Josh Davis the team to beat Andrean, when we play and practice freshman but if they perform well together.”

10 Jevon Morris on the court, Coach HackStating the importance sophomore ett thinks the team has a of the team playing well 35 Jacob Strbjak chance to win their Confersenior together is one thing, but ence game. the team will not improve if 24 Nick Fies sophomore “We have a good chance their performance does not in beating them,” Coach show good team chemistry. source: Hackett said. “They’re re“I definitely look at my Coach Mike Hackett, teacher cord is better, they got a teammates like brothers. bunch more seniors than We’re always there for each we do but I’ve seen them other and even when we’re not playing, we’re hanging out or going to other team play a handful of times and we’ll have to games, so we’re kind of always together,” play well to beat them, but we can go Zabrecky said, “And like I said, we’re re- there and beat them.”

About the

Money

Being on a sports team isn’t cheap. Here are some ways how the school and players pay for the sports expenses.

The Big 3 The top three sports that earn the most money from games:

1. Football 2. Basketball 3.

Soccer

participation fee: $40 heating, cooling, lighting during season

w ne rms ifo un

transportation

+ $15 training room fee + fee for equipment

ma in fac tainin iliti g es

Josh Kim Page Editor

32,292 points, 14-time All-Star, fivetime MVP, six championships.

28,122 points, 13-time All Star, fourtime MVP, three championships.

Look similar? No surprise, considering the two have been argued by very faithful, and completely different, fans. The only difference is one is a Hall-of-Famer, Michael Jordan, whose stats are listed first, and the other who is yet to finish his outstanding career, Lebron James.

Michael Jordan celebrates his 54th birthday today. And with that, the endless debate between new and old fans continues: who is the greatest of all time?

Answer: no one.

Determining who is the greatest basketball player of all time is impossible.

Comparing these two are like apples to oranges. Two completely different players with completely different mindsets, built differently, placed in completely different eras of the game.

M.J. stands 6 feet 6 inches, weighing 195 pounds and played shooting guard primarily in his career.

Ten odd some years later, the 6 feet 8 inches 250 pound small forward L.B.J. broke into the league.

Another reason for an impossible decision are the debates themselves.

For an accurate and competent debate, both parties must have been alive to see both play. Yeah, they can look at highlights, but the amazing games and plays the two put up need to have been seen live.

The problem with that is those alive to see Jordan and James would most likely argue for Jordan because of the changes the game has seen between the two’s primes, along with the fact that he did not play in the Jordan era.

The two are undoubtedly the best in their own eras. No one even touches the two. But to pin them together, one-onone, is illogical.

With the age gap, and assuming Jordan can no longer dunk from the freethrow line anymore, those wishing for a one-on-one are illogical considering the different builds of the two.

Though serious arguments could be made to case either legend, it is just near impossible to truly and accurately decide who the greatest of all time really is.

new nt equipme

gam offi e cial s

“gate fund”:

money made from tickets and concessions

source: Brian Clark, athletic director Infographic by Chloe Wineinger

10

sports

SIDE NOTE on sports Girls’ Basketball What: Girls’ Basketball Sectionals Where: Lowell When: Jan. 31 Record: 9-15 Girls’ Basketball ended their season after a loss against Morton, 69-67, in their first game of Sectionals, finishing with a 9-15 record. Although they ended up losing, the game against Morton was very close according to Coach Jim Davidson, PLTW teacher. “(The game against Morton) went into two overtimes; it was a really exciting game,” Coach Davidson said. “The girls played well, but we just came up a little bit short.”

Although this season is over, the team is already looking forward to next season, according to Coach Davidson.

“We’re real optimistic about next year,” Coach Davidson said. “As soon as in the locker room after the game, we were already talking about next season as far as what we have to do to come back and be better. We feel very strongly that the girls will work hard and become better players and if that happens we are going to come back and be a lot better next year.”

Wrestling

What: Wrestling State Where: Indianapolis When: Today and tomorrow Who: Jason Crary Although three students made it to Semi-state, only one wrestler, Jason Crary, senior, moved on to the State competition in Indianapolis. During the season, Crary had a record of around 40-3 “(Having a 40-3 record) makes me more comfortable because of all those matches (this season), I’ve only lost three times,” Crary said.

Crary’s father, Coach Michael Crary, is the coach of the wrestling team, and has also was very supportive of his wrestling before the high school level, according to Crary.

“I’d say (my dad being there) gives me more confidence” Crary said. “When I was younger, before high school, my dad would always be there for my matches and now that’s like reassurance.”

feb. 17, 2017

Changing of their outcleats

Students participate in recreational indoor soccer Mimi Brody Page Editor

Athletes in today’s world of sports fall victim to being overworked. With the immense amount of pressure placed upon student athletes on and off the field, it is not uncommon for them to become burned out and stop enjoying the sport they grew to love.

That is why Abby Nita, junior, chose to play soccer with friends every Friday night in an intramural league in Merrillville.

“I decided I wanted to play more noncompetitively, not with club, something more casual and really just for fun without any practices,” Nita said. “The atmosphere is very lax. The coach is like, ‘Are you ready to go in, are you ready to go out?’ It is not really structured or organized, and you can play pretty much anywhere you want. It’s a lot of movement.”

The team consists of ten athletes from MHS, some of which are seasoned soccer players and others who have never played the sport like Cade Howard, sophomore.

“My friends convinced me to play when they needed a player to play goalie,” Howard said. “I found it easy to pick it up. Everyone in the region told me my hands were good, and that they needed a goalie who doesn’t give up goals. I have been living up to their expectations so far.”

In the league, they play against other high school students on co-ed teams largely from surrounding schools.

“I know a lot of people we play against.

Lots of the teams are from other schools and other clubs that I have played against so I know a lot of kids from there,” Nita said. “They aren’t necessarily friends but

photo by Melanie Powers

PUSH IT During an indoor soccer game, Annabelle Giannini, sophomore, tries to pass the ball to a teammate. “I was trying to pass the ball to my teammate so we could move the play forward and get into the offensive zone,” Annabelle said. “In indoor soccer, the games are a lot more fast paced so it is important to be very quick getting it out of your own zone and into scoring position”

they are friendly faces. You know a lot of the players from around the soccer world.”

Because the league is purely for recreation, there is not a huge commitment that goes along with playing and thus the team does not practice at all.

“It’s not a huge commitment,” Nita said. “It is kind of hard for the girls because we only have three girls on our team, and there is a rule that you need to have two girls playing at a time to make it fair since it is co-ed, so we have to be there every week, but otherwise it is very stress-free.”

For Howard, he enjoys the opportunity to spend time with his friends.

“I really enjoy playing because I like to play with my friends, and after our games we go out to eat somewhere,” he said. “It brings me closer to my friends.”

On the contrary, Nita uses the league as an outlet for her to get away from the everyday pressures of competitive sports and instead just have fun for 45 minutes each Friday night.

“I love the high intensity of indoor soccer, the quick touches, and ability to chuck people into walls keeps things fun,” Nita said.

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Easy as 1...2...3 Abby Nita, junior, explains steps to take to start an indoor soccer team

1. find some players “A few of us got together and made a team. It is a mix of boys and girls players of all ages.”

2. contact the dome Contact Hallmark Sports Club II in Merrillville to join a league of your choice “It is about $1,000 a team, then you choose a color and you’re golden.”

3. pick a team name “Our name is Un-Real Madrid, which is a play on Real Madrid, but other teams just go by their color.” source: Abby Nita, junior

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feb. 17, 2017

A long way to the top

sports

11

Boys’ Swimming competes at Sectionals tomorrow, prepares for competitions beyond

photo by Summer Witvoet

TRAIN TO REIGN In preparation for Prelims and Sectionals, Grant Afman, freshman, practices on perfecting the butterfly stroke. With this being his first postseason meet, Afman is excited to face the competition the various schools and those schools’ individual swimmers will provide

Joseph Bermudez Copy Editor The late nights, the early mornings, the scent of chlorine have all led to this moment: Sectionals.

Boys’ Swimming, participating in the preliminary competitions yesterday, look to take home another sectional victory tomorrow at home.

“Prelims are important because it sets up everything for Saturday (Sectionals),” Coach Mathew Pavlovich, P.E. teacher, said. “Our goal is always to try to get three swimmers in the top eight of most of the events. Our girls did that last week, so we’re trying to do that for the boys, that’ll be here at our pool.”

With practically an identical team as last year, Brandon Silver, junior, believes the odds of winning Sectionals have risen compared to last year.

“This year, I feel like, will be a lot less

nerve wracking than last year because we lost a lot of seniors and the team as a whole needed to step up, which we did,” Silver said. “This year we gained really good freshmen, so I don’t think Sectionals will be as close as it was last year.”

Despite being one of the top teams in the region, Coach Pavlovich expects stiff competition from their rivals.

“We should come out on top,” Coach Pavlovich said. “We’re going to run into some pretty tough competition though. I know Highland has a really good sprinter, Lowell has one too. Crown Point has some pretty good swimmers too. There’s going to be some good competition sprinkled in throughout the meet, but we’re the deepest team.”

With ‘deepest team’ referring to the team’s youth and talent, Matt Dempsey, senior, anticipates a great performance from the freshmen on the team.

“The team usually does pretty well (at

tomorrow. “Sectionals, a stage like that, is a big deal to me going in as a freshman,” Afman said.

“Going up against the best competition in the area, practice is key. I’ll be competing with kids that are faster than me, that kind of level of competition is exciting.”

Sectionals),” Matt Dempsey, senior, said. “We have great new freshmen this year, so it’ll be cool to see how they swim on a big stage like Sectionals. It’ll be great to see them get to experience what it’s like to win Sectionals. It’s nice to know that after I leave this year, the team will be in very good hands.”

As a senior, and this being the last time he will swim at Sectionals, Dempsey is excited to finish the year on top.

“It’s kind of bittersweet because I’ve been swimming for about 15 years now, so knowing this is going to be the last time I’m going to swim (at Sectionals) is kind of bittersweet, but I’m also happy it’s over,” Dempsey said.

For the love of the sport Cheerleaders address controversial misconceptions involving their sport, share personal experiences

Common Misconceptions Katie Dedelow, junior, respond to stigmas surrounding cheerleaders Cheerleaders aren’t athletic “At some schools maybe that is the case, but at MHS we have become more into competitive cheering and we have changed the whole idea of the team to make it more competitive.”

Cheerleaders aren’t smart “I don’t understand how you can define one group of people as dumb. That doesn’t even make sense to me. I would say that everyone on the team is pretty smart.”

Cheer isn’t a sport “We have to go to practice, we have to put in time. We have to go do stuff outside of practice like gymnastics.

We get sore, we use our muscles, we compete; it’s a sport.” source: Katie Dedelow, junior

Mimi Brody Page Editor She stepped into the WWMS gym nervous and alone. After making a pact with her friend to try out for the eighth grade Cheer team together, Katie Dedelow, junior, found herself deserted after her friend opted out of their agreement. She stayed and tried out for the team, not knowing at that moment the impact the sport would make on her life.

“It was kind of late in the game, it seemed,“ Dedelow said. “So we thought we couldn’t just start learning to be good at sports like soccer, and I had already tried basketball, which was kind of sad, so we thought, ‘Okay, let’s just do cheer.’”

Cheering in eighth grade fostered a love of the sport, which Dedelow then carried into high school.

“I am happy I joined Cheer when I did because it gave me the opportunity to expand my horizons and become involved with something that I might not have known I enjoyed doing if I didn’t try,” Dedelow said.

The Cheer team not only is responsible for sideline cheering other teams; they have their own competition season as well.

“Having an all-year season can be hard because sometimes it is tiring being with the same girls, and we only get a month’s break because we also practice through

Jump right in Step-by-step to standing on block before heat begins

1

Pull up on block with hands

2

Place front foot between hands, curl toes around block Place back foot in

3 middle of block

4 Grip block tightly

5 Slightly bend knees

6

Leap forward with outstretched arms into streamline before submerging

source: Holden Raffin, freshman photo by Summer Witvoet

the summer, but I really like it,” Tessa Bales, senior, said. “Competition season is my favorite part because I like competing. I like sideline cheering, but being able to compete for my own team is exciting.”

Many people are hesitant to refer to it as a sport, which the cheerleaders find frustrating, as they feel their hard work goes unnoticed.

“I think we get enough credit but I wish that at games people would cheer more for us when we do things because we are there to pump up the crowd,” Bales said.

Vanessa Koultourides, sophomore, echoes Bales’ frustrations and notes that there are many stereotypes surrounding cheerleaders, although she does not feel they carry over to here.

“We get appreciated for being cheerleaders but we don’t get credit for everything we do when it comes to practices, games and even at competition,” Koultourides said. “There are stereotypes against cheerleaders, like they aren’t smart, aren’t athletes, they are snobby, or that boys can’t be cheerleaders, but I don’t feel stereotyped here at all.”

Cheerleaders like Koultourides wish that students were more appreciative of the time and work they put in.

“To be honest, it sucks not getting recphoto by Kess Vaitkus ognition,” Koultourides said. “We put in so much work all the time and we do GET PSYCHED Cheering on Boys’ Basketball against Gary so much for the basketball and football Westside Feb. 10, Thalia Chiboys, not getting any recognition is real- oros, junior, performs a stunt ly frustrating.” with her squad.

12

student life

feb. 17, 2017

Speaking

BACK TALK

Out

The Oscars are Feb. 26. Who would you want to play you in a movie about your life?

Students speak out in wake of political controversy over Trump’s executive orders

“Grant Gustin because he plays Barry Allen on ‘The Flash.’ He is really versatile and able to go from singing to action, which really represents me.”

Nikolai Hoogewerf, freshman

“I would say Katy Perry because when I went to her concert she said things that were so inspirational and I just find what she says very helpful.”

Samantha Buffano, freshman

Jordan Szymanski Editor-in-Chief

“I

t’s about keeping bad people out of our country.”

“I think I want Leonardo Dicaprio to play me because he’s always been hot.”

“America first.”

Austin Lynn, sophomore

“Go back to your country.”

Only the last of these quotes did not come from the President of the United States. With President Donald Trump’s recent executive order banning people from seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States, many Americans are concerned about this administration’s true intent.

Exploring the effects of such a administration, students discuss how problems in Washington make their way to Munster.

Continued on pg.8

photo by Hidaya Musleh

“Ryan Reynolds because he would be a lot funnier than I am.”

Xavier Rodriguez, sophomore

“Definitely George Lopez because we both have big heads.”

“Scooby-Doo because we both like to raid kitchens for food.”

Julian Alvarado, junior

Michael Edington, junior

“I would say Jennifer Lawrence because she’s really outgoing, funny, and likes to joke around a lot, and that resembles me a lot.”

“I don’t know any actors or actresses.

All I know is Emma Watson... she’s pretty.”

STAND TOGETHER Munster residents gathered at Town Hall Jan. 30 to protest the travel ban.

Signs promoting acceptance and respect for other cultures could be seen throughout the crowds. Mariam Issa, former student, holds a sign summing up the meaning behind the protest: “American lives matter and so do Muslims.”

Timeline politics President Trump communicates with American people through Twitter; Petra Sweis, sophomore, comments on Travel Ban President Trump signed an executive order on Jan. 27 temporarily barring entry from seven Muslim countries. An executive order is an action made by the president which acts as a force of law unless blocked by another branch.

Political social media posts were common after the ban.

In this post, Jewish Israelis and Muslim Palestinians, two groups with religious conflict, stand together against the ban.

“When I saw that picture of them both fighting for the same thing, it made me happy,” Petra Sweis, sophomore said.

Olivia Bednarowski, senior

Paige Mecyssine, senior

“I would pick a lady named, Stacy Westfall. She’s not a common actress, but she’s very good with horses. And since that’s my passion I’d enjoy watching her play me as a horse person.”

“No one is that good of an actor that could properly portray me. I am too unique. Only I can portray myself.”

Ms. Kelly Haussman, science teacher

Mr. Matthew Kalwasinski, social studies teacher