senior issue volume 54
CRIER
munster high school
8808 Columbia Ave. Munster, IN 46321
May 28, 2020
What is a specific memory you have of something you enjoyed about your time at MHS?
Remembering
the great
W
of the past four years
ith a surely memorable senior year, Class of 2020 closes out their fours years of high school. Friday night lights and club meetings. 7 a.m. arrival times and passing periods. Pep rallies and spirit days. Pop quizes and sports banquets. It all comes to an end as we say good bye to this huge part of our lives. Even though it is not the ending anyone wanted or even anticipated, it is still our moment and our memories. The ending may not have been ideal, but that doesn’t take away from all of the excitement, all of the significance, and all of the greatness. We look back on the memories. We reflect on how high school shaped who we are. We cringe at our freshmen selves. We thank peers, teachers, and faculty for helping us get through it all. We also look forward to the future. We plan where to go next. We eagerly await what life has in store for us. We anticipate greatness. Tomorrow, we will conclude our senior year online and anticipate our virtual graduation. We look forward to finishing high school, together as Class of 2020.
ON THE ROPES During their junior year, Class of 2020 participates in the Homecoming pep rally tug of war game. GAME ON Before a basketball game, Josh Davis, senior, runs out and prepares to play. WAY UP HIGH At the winter pep rally, Ke’Nyah Foster, senior, poses in the air. FEEL THE BEAT After performing at Battle of the Bands, Shane Hoogewerf, senior, Mara Trivunovic, freshman, Amir Henderson , and Henry Sklar, seniors, take a bow as the band, Free Ice Cream. LET’S GET PHYSICAL On 80s workout day, Laila Wallace and Mirela Jeknic, seniors pose for a photo. WIN AFTER WIN At the winter pep rally, Sara Zabrecky and Emily Zabrecky, seniors, talk about the successful Girls’ Basketball season. COLD SEASON Milena Trivunovic, senior, smiles at a band rehersal.
“Winning boys basketball Sectionals my junior year and being able to cut the net.” - Alayna Eismin senior “I loved the pep rallies. Although some people leave early because they’re ‘boring,’ I think they’re kind of fun. You get to sit with your friends and relax and laugh for an hour or so.” - Jessica Geary senior “I enjoyed performing in the pit orchestra for almost every musical in my four years here at MHS.” - Nikolai Hoogewerf senior “The Oscars party we had after finishing our AP Lit film projects junior year—they were so much work but it was fun to get dressed up, hand out awards, and celebrate.” - Anya Fitzpatrick senior “Winning the Girls’ Basketball Sectional this year and the amazing student section we had.” - Emily Zabrecky senior “The time I microwaved 40 pizza rolls during lunch and a girl was obviously angry but didn’t dare say anything because everybody else in the line thought it was funny.” - Timothy Kaufman senior “Dogpiling on Noel Fary after he won the musical chairs at the last pep rally of senior year.” - Paul Katona senior “The boys’ swim team winning State Runner-Up this year. The first time in 10 years. This was the best way to end my senior year as a four year varsity swimmer.” - Grant Afman senior “Early volleyball tournaments showing up to the school wrapped in blankets with bagels.” - Sydney Foster senior “One of my favorite memories is having Alayna Eismin ask me to Turnabout in front of everyone at the pep rally.” - Roman Garcia senior “Traveling to New York with the MHS Chorale to sing at Carnegie Hall was one of my favorite moments in high school. Meeting Eric Whitacre is something I will never forget.” - Ariel Velasco senior “Finally graduating.” - Dharma Niles senior
s e n i o r c o l u m n s2
Munster High School Crier
May 28, 2020
guest column
The beginning of something else
Mrs. Kelly Barnes English 9 and AP Literature and Composition teacher Not only are you the first graduating class of a new decade, you are the first class to graduate amid a global pandemic in over a century. What a story for future generations! When you are the equivalent to today’s “boomer” generation, you will look back at this time as an era of resilience, strength, and kindness. Remember that while there is also great sadness, one of my favorite humans, Mr. Rogers, once said, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’” So many of you have banded together to do just that and make the best of what has otherwise been such a scary and uncertain time. That compassion and insight is what makes the senior class of 2020 so special. As a class, you are funny, talented, creative, and kind. You have an unmatched desire to learn and improve. You are always authentic and value true human connection. Sure, you may not always get along, but it has been amazing to watch you all come together when the time demanded it. It made me proud of each of you. It makes me proud of each of you. This is why it’s so unfortunate that your culminating months at MHS have been upended.
I’m sure you feel as though you’ve been cheated out of so many precious experiences, but don’t forget this is not the first piece of adversity you have overcome. Throughout high school, many of you learned to accept yourselves without fear of judgment (no small feat), you offered a helping hand even when it wasn’t popular, you applied to colleges that seemed too far out of reach but soon realized they were within your grasp, you accepted that your crush may only remain a friend and that’s okay, you embraced your quirks, took a chance on creative projects, took leadership positions, overcame illness, mourned family deaths, endured and survived the 2008 flood. You have been tested and challenged every step of the way and emerged with an inner strength that can get you through anything. In the years ahead, your memories of me and MHS may fade, but I hope that you won’t forget this one truth: your best life and experiences are yet to come. The milestones you’ve missed only
mark the passage of time—they do not define you. Your adult lives are now beginning, and your futures are bright. If high school wasn’t what you hoped it would be, don’t worry, there are so many opportunities yet to come. If high school was so amazing that you’re afraid nothing will live up to it, don’t worry because life will continue to amaze you. I know the last few months have been challenging, to say the least, but you made it through thanks to your shining humor and empathy. The creativity and gratitude sparked during these odd days will only propel you forward, not hold you back. While I may not know what day of the week it is without a Zoom or Blackboard Live class, I do know for certain that you will make the world a better place, and I will always be proud to have been your teacher. Mr. Rogers believed that “often when you think you’re at the end of something, you’re at the beginning of something else.” Best wishes to each of you in this new beginning!
photo provided by Aidan Chism
ROLL CALL On April 28, 2017, Mrs. Kelly Barnes’ English 9 class video-chat with Jane Elliot, American schoolteacher and anti-racism activist. Mrs. Barnes taught class of 2020 as freshmen in English 9 and as junior in AP Literature and Composition.
guest column
A box of chocolates
Alyssa Nahnsen Student Body President To quote American heartthrob, Forrest Gump: “My momma always said, “Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” And in all honesty, if I knew we were going to keep pulling out the bad chocolates, I would’ve put that box on the shelf a long time ago. But that’s the thing. They aren’t all bad. Sometimes the chocolate you pick will be extremely dark and bitter, but on the other hand, sometimes your picking will be sweet and savory. This balance in the box of chocolates that we call life is unpredictable, but it’s that unpredictability that jolts us forward to try again with something new. As of recently, we have chosen the 100 percent straight up cacao chocolate from the inside of the box. Sharp, shocking, shattering. This is most definitely not what any of us expected. The week before school was shut down, classes were tracking
the spread of the virus in Asia and then to Europe, not thinking for a second at how our world would change drastically within days. We debated the future and outcome of our nation before it finally hit. No more school. No more senior year. No state tournaments and no spring sports. No Prom and no conclusion to that 12 year ride that we have been holding onto for what seems like forever. It was like we took one of those chocolates and held it in our hands. It began to melt. We watched as the heat of the pandemic melted away our hopes and dreams, and then watched the world around us turn into a messy puddle of despair. New York Times has reported that COVID-19 has killed over 100,00 people in the US alone, with numbers on the rise. Over 40 million Americans have filed for unemployment, which is bound to reach a rate of 20 percent unemployment according to David G. Blanchflower, a professor of economics at Dartmouth college. These statistics solely represent the United States, which leads to the question: What are you supposed to do with a handful of melted chocolate? When something melts, you can always mold a new beginning. The physical attributes of it are still present and it’s a matter of putting forth effort and rebuilding it. It’s like human resilience in the face of conflict and turmoil. While we may burn to the ground, it takes a phoenix to rise up from the ashes and face that rebirth. This rebirth is a shining light in the face of conflict. This crisis has not knocked us down, but rather, it has ignited
a burning flame of passion in our hearts. In the short term, we have found the sweet chocolates in the box. The shining lights that make our days brighter. People in our community have begun the adopt a senior project to give a warm embrace to saddened seniors. We have organized the first ever car Prom parade to hold firm to our tradition. We have adapted to eLearning and have continued to work and stay connected with our friends and family through technology. That’s the thing about us. We will never take no for an answer. We will never back down from a challenge. And we will never stop pushing for our future in the making. Because where there’s a will, there most definitely is always a way. In the long term, we look past high school. We look to our future plans, whatever they may be. The assortment of opportunities for change are endless. We need health care workers and plumbers and businessmen. The list goes on and on because each and every one of us are essential. We are problem solvers. We get by by doing. We must go forth with a grand assault and make the world we live in a little bit sweeter. We cannot sit around and wait for something to happen because as we leave high school, we become that something that people are waiting for. The future of our melted chocolate is ready to be molded by our hands. Life is a box of chocolates, and while you never know what you are going to get, sometimes you need to think outside the box, and redesign the mold to achieve the flavor that you want in your life.
s u p e r l a t i v e s3
Munster High School Crier
May 28, 2020
All of the votes are in... Senior superlatives 2020 Heart of gold Class clown Best laugh Best smile
Jeff Hemmelgarn
Clara Terry
Roman Garcia
Imani Kemp
Christian Portone/Adam Daniels
Grace Gozdecki
Nick Eng
Faith Blair
Matt Cortez Best hair Joey Rogers Best eyes Best dressed Sami Muhrez
Best musician
Ariel Velasco Layna Kounelis Lilia Brunetti/Mina Schuler
Kyle Adams
Best Instagram feed Christian Portone Most athletic Most artistic
Serena Alvarez Payton Poulston
Paul Katona
Sara Zabrecky
Michael Bowers
Grace Rau
Most likely to succeed George Dimopoulos Most likely to win an Oscar
Noel Fary
Most likely to have their own reality show Christian Portone Most likely to walk the red carpet Cutest couple
Annie Ostojic
Jamie DeJoan
Layna Kounelis
Christian Portone Stephanie Niemiec
Nick Eng and Ava Cundiff
Best bromance
Adam Klaich and Aidan Smith
Best sistermance
Payton Poulston and Layna Kounelis
(From top to bottom) HYPED At a basketball game with a theme of jersey night, Adam Daniels, senior leads the student section. DRESS UP On Random Costume Day, Faith Blair and Imane Kemp, seniors, dress up as Winnie the Pooh and Piglet. TAKE ON ME Before school on 80’s Workout Day, Sami Muhrez, senior, leads the senior workout. FA LA LA In BC Calculus her sophomore year, Annie Ostojic, senior, sings “Calc Carols” with her class. ADVENTURE IS OUT THERE On Random Costume Day, Jeff Hemmelgarn, senior, dresses up as Russell from the Pixar movie “Up.”
f u t u r e p l a n s4
Munster High School Crier
May 28, 2020
What lies ahead Seniors plans life after high school
Arizona Arizona State University
Bulter University Indiana
California
Lucas Barath - Vocal Performance and Music Education Elizabeth Hanas - Communication Sciences and Disorders Hope Meierkort - Envioronmental Sciences Drew Westland - Sports Media
Leila Monique Aesquivel - Nursing
Calumet College of St. JosephI Whiting
Tempe Esperanza Navaro - Forensic Law Erianna Sims - Broadcast Journalism and Mass Communications/Healthcare
Pasadena City College Pasadena University of Southern California Los Angeles Holden Raffin - Business Administration
Vanguard University Costa Mesa Jorianna Hazel - Music: Vocal Performance
Colorado
The United States Air Force Academy Colorado Springs
Grant Afman - Military Strategic Studies/Aviation
Illinois
Columbia College Chicago Mandy Jonquet - Cinema and Television Arts
DePaul University Chicago Serena Alvarez - Music Education and Psychology Maria Delis - Finance Rimsha Siddiqui - Undecided
Flashpoint Chicago Chicago Aaron Diaz - Recording Arts Nico Hernandez - Broadcasting
Loyola University Chicago Chicago Amanda Beaudouin - Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience Christian Portone - Business
North Central College Naperville Jeffrey Hemmelgarn - Actuarial Science
Northern Illinois University Dekalb Emily Dato- Health Sciences
St. Xavier University Chicago
Stephany Camacho - Nursing Maddie Kozy - Communication Sciences and Disorders
The School of Art Institute of Chicago Chicago Matt Cortez - Art History, Theory, and Criticism
University of Chicago Chicago
Caroline Chael - Computer Science/Geophysics
Indiana
Ancilla College Donaldson Myles Peterson - Communications
Ball State University Muncie Meli Chioros - Elementary Education and Special Education Dharma Niles - Interior Design Mianna Papageorge - Undecided Yalissa Rubio - Business
Josh Batur - Criminal Justice
Indiana State University Terre Haute Chris Badali - Nursing
Sean O’Rourke - Photo Journalism Kristina Pamucar - Psychology Arial Petersen - Business Communication and Public Relations Grace Rau - Fine Arts Safoora Shad - Undecided Mina Schuler - Fine Arts
Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington Anthony Wallace - Undecided
Ivy Tech Community College Gary Alisha Evans - Undecided
Ivy Tech Community College Valparaiso Nicole Baginski - Psychology
Ivy Tech Community College Unspecified Dayanara Jimenez - Undecided Nick Ibarra - Undecided
Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis Indianapolis
Indiana University Bloomington
Shannon Coughlin - Computer and Information Technology
James Adams - Biochemistry Jacobus Barnard - Chemistry and Business Steven Biegel - Management or Accountancy Lilia Brunetti - International Studies and Microbiology Max Buka - Business Aidan Chism - Law and Public Policy Olivia Choros - Biology Stephanie Cipowski-Smith - Finance and International Business Eddie DeMars - Computer Science Alayna Eisman - Nursing Noel Fary - Sports Media Sydney Foster - Intelligent Systems Engineering Tarunveer Girn - Business Grace Gozdecki - Finance and Spanish Camryn Hayes - Biology and Theater Amir Henderson - Business Will Hoop - Finance Clarissa Iwachiw - Speech and Hearing Sciences Lindsey Katalinic - Supply Chain Management Paul Katona Sports Management Layna Kounelis - Management Chloe Lambert - Media Evan Lieser - Management Alexis Lindenmayer - Journalism Antonia Linnane - Neuroscience Keith Martin - Undecided Ronan Meyer - Undecided Sami Muhrez - International Relations Olivia Newman - Marketing Michael Peters - Sports Marketing Katarina Petrovic - Biochemisty Cole Portone - Business Management Emme Poulston - Biochemistry Payton Poulston - Nutrition Sciences Patricia Proctor - Nursing Abbey Ruckert - Media and Business Isabella Scalzo - Political Science Ami Shah - Business Management and Pre-med Madelyn Sharp - Marketing Presley Simpson - Marketing and International Business Costa Sirounis - Undecided Aidan Smith - Undecided Gina Vellutini - Apparel Merchandising Willow Via - Nursing Joseph Webster - Business Finance Robert Young - Psychology and Philosophy Joshua Zatorski - Finance
Purdue University West Lafayette
Indiana University Northwest Gary
Alyssa Bass - Elementary Education Jenny Garcia - Nursing
Faith Blair - Undecided Adam Daniels - Finance Jamie DeJoan - Brain and Behavioral Sciences Michael Dywan - Communcations Timothy Giannini - Robotics Engineering Technology Benjamin Goldman - Computer Information and Technology Madilyn Griegel - Radiological Health Science Deven Hawkins - Nursing Nikolai Hoogewerf - Video Game Design Mirela Jeknic - Environmental Engineering and Industrial Managment Adam Klaich - Exploratory Alex Kojich - Media Communications Krishna Lakshmanamurthy - Game Development Cole Lesinski - Undecided Delaney McGinty - Engineering Oliver Meraz - Aerospace Engineering Melinda Michalski - Pshchology Natalie Naumoff - Undecided Stephanie Niemic - Computer Science Leah Patterson - Psychology and Engineering Technology Sophia Porter - Health Sciences Pre-Professional James Shelton - Communications Henry Sklar - Undecided Ava Sopcic - Nursing Korrine Tate - Pre-Veterinary Science Ariel Velasco - Psychology and Law and Society Casey Wallace - Creative Writing
Purdue University Northwest Hammond
Luke Aune - Mechanical Engineering Max Barath - Undecided Samantha Buffano - Undecided Maguire Butler - Undecided Lorena Campos - Education Mollie Clark - Elementary Education John Cronin - Undecided Leila Damianos - Entrepreneurship Melody Deering Business Administration Jonathan Del Real - Foreign Language (Spanish) Teaching Collin Garmon - Mathematics Timothy Kaufman - Undecided Sam Lash - Sociology Integrated with Criminal Justice Valeria Magana - Psychology Illija Manojlovic - Computer Engineering Angela Ortega - Human Development and Family Studies
May 28, 2020
April Roberts - Finance and Accounting Daisy Ruiz - Biology Kristina Sosic - Computer Science Jack Sullivan - Pre Pharmacy Lucy Torres - Health Sciences Michael Van Deursen - Undecided Ashley Wills - Early Childhood Education Emily Zabrecky - Nursing Evan Zukley - Nursing
Purdue Polytechnic Institute Kokomo Kokomo
Shannon Coughlin - Computer and Information Technology
Manchester University North Manchester
Roman Garcia - Marketing
South Surburban Community College Munster Isabel Alvarez - Nursing
Tricoci University of Beauty Culture Highland Kaela Percak - Cosmetology
University of Indianapolis Indianapolis
Munster High School Crier
Louisiana
5f u t u r e
Bossier Parish Community College Bossier Kayla Gruber - Health Sciences
Emma Higgason - Mechanical Engineering
University of North Texas Denton
Michigan
David Cohen - Kinesiology Kari Nero - Music Kiari Nero - Psychology
Lilly Lemke -Communication Sciences & Disorders
Wisconsin
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge
Central Michigan University Mt. Pleasant
Anya Fitzpatrick - Biology Kathir Venkat - Economics Mitchell Walsh - Biology and Voice Perfomance Hazel Wolf - Architecture
Skylar Van Ermen - Exercise Science
New York
Poland
Valparaiso University Valparaiso
St. John’s University Queens
Kyle Adams - Writing Alyssa Nahnsen - Nursing
Attending college: unspecified
Sara Zabrecky - Sports Management: Coaching Track
University of Rochester: Eastman School of Music Eastman School of Music
Mira Fefferman - Biostatistics/Public Health and Modern Hebrew
Maddison Butler Michael Chamberlain Mary Anne Obrien
Ohio
Taking a gap year Bianca Andrzejewski Annalicia Carrillo Jessica Geary Charlie Hofferth
University of Toledo Toledo
Hannah Foster - Forensic Science
Skyler Dickeseon - Medical Laboratory Sciences
Spalding University Louisville
Armed Services Work Force
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Ben Dodge - Aviation
Eastern Kentucky University Richmond
Cris Aguliar - Kinesiology Imani Kemp Mehak Sidhu - Biology Michaek Fugger - Music Milena Trivunovic
Dawson Ginaven - Marines
Bowling Green State University Bowling Green
Kentucky
Lilly Yalowitz - Undecided
Zoe O’Shaughnessy - Harp Performance
North Carolina
University of Iowa Iowa City
University of Wisconsin Madison
Krakow Academy of Music Krakow
Ben Blaesing - Percussion Performance
Joshua Noisette - Accounting and Finance
Texas
Marquette University Milwaukee
University of Michigan Ann Arbor
Srija Tipirneni - Neural Science
Coe College Cedar Rapids
University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia
Massachusetts
Erin Bryce -Undecided Natalia Coronel -Criminology Alyssa Valadez -Kinesiology
Iowa
Pennslyvania George Dimopoulos - Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE)
New York University New York City
Gillian Bedenk - Nursing Emily Eisha - Undecided Kyle Kaufmann - Physician Assistant Alyssa Meegan - Elementary Education
plans
Shalini Tallamraju - Biological Sciences
Other Jayden Harvey Trinity Rodriguez
Juliana Nelson - Nursing
2 3
3
5
14 136 3
1
2
2 3
3 1 1
1 25.3%
Out of state
74.7% In-state
Popular majors
1
1. Nursing 2. Psychology 3. Finance
Of NUMBER seniors, 203 responded with their future plans
s t u d e n t l i f e6
Munster High School Crier
May 28, 2020
Looking back, moving forward
If you could go back four years and give your freshman self advice, what would you say? “Don’t take it so seriously. Looking back, you had more breathing room than you thought you did. You missed out on a lot of the typical high school experience because you basically studied the whole time. You’ll end up where you are supposed to, I promise. You are allowed to have fun.” - Emma Higgason senior “Start thinking now about where you want to be in the future, it will help a lot.” - Kiari Nero senior “You won’t keep the same friends, so live life how YOU want too!” - Meli Chioros senior “Pay more attention in Spanish and cherish Mr. Herold’s film Fridays.” - Noel Fary senior “People really aren’t judging you as often as you think. Everyone has their own problems.” - Srija Thipirneni senior “Finals and midterms are real. They exist. Actually study for them.” - Melinda Michalski senior “Always work hard, put time into your work, and learn to love it. When you learn to love what you have to do to better yourself and your education, it will get easier.” - Mirela Jeknic senior “Don’t worry about what grades you get in your hard classes. Just try your best and try not to stress.” - Antonia Linnane senior “Things are going to get hard, but never give up, and push through it.” - Aidan Chism senior
What are you looking forward to most about life after high school?
“Appreciate the football games, the cheesy school dance music, and even the late night study groups because before you know it, you’re typing senior superlatives on a computer wishing you could experience the Friday night lights just one more time. ” - Emme Poulston senior “I would tell myself to enjoy the time in high school more and not take the time for granted. ” - Steven Biegel senior “Push yourself out of your comfort zone, it’s how you learn and grow as a person. ” - Keith Martin senior
“How I can live independently in a big atmosphere and create friendships that will last a lifetime.” - Cole Portone senior “I am looking forward to seeing the world and doing what I love to do.” - Zoe O’Shaughnessy senior “Not being in school for eight hours straight.” - Maddison Butler senior “Having a new experience at college with so many new people.” - Skylar Van Ermen senior “I am most looking forward to further developing my art as well as developing a career. “ - Matt Cortez senior
“Life is so tough and never turns out how you think it will, but the uncertainty and spontaneity is what makes it great. Learn from it, grow from it, and most of all enjoy it.” - Hope Meierkort senior “Be involved! Looking back, I wish I would’ve gotten more involved with clubs and things like that.” Alyssa Meegan senior “Please. Just do your homework.” Ilija Manojlovic senior “Cherish every moment with your friends. ” Holden Raffin senior “Don’t compare yourself to where others are today, compare yourself to who you were yesterday.” - Lindsey Katalinic senior “Don’t worry so much about what your peers think.” - Tim Giannini senior
(From top to bottom) HIGH SCHOOL ROYALTY The 2019 Homecoming Court stand and pose with their escorts during halftime of the Homecoming game.TAKING LAPS Participating in a track meet, Joey Burns, senior, jumps over a hurdle. HELPING HAND On 80s Workout Day during Homecoming Spirit Week, Olivia Newman and Evan Lieser, seniors, watch as Ethan Lieser, senior, ties Olivia’s shoe. GO TEAM During a publications kickball game, Sean O’Rourke, Chloe Lambert, seniors, and Demetrios Fotopoulos , junior put their hands in a circle.
“Starting my career, traveling the world, and writing a book.” - Lucy Torres senior “Being able to have experiences and make decisions for myself without somebody telling me what I should do.” - Mandy Jonquet senior “A change of scenery and a sense of control over my life.” - Jacobus Barnard senior “No more crowded hallways!” - Milena Trivunovic senior “A fresh start. Going back to square one.” - Sami Muhrez senior