Building football tradition - Merrillville Community School

Merrillville High School
Merrillville, Indiana
THE
February 25, 2010
Vol. 28, Issue 8
A&E
MIRROR
MIRROR
RACIAL VIOLENCE: Hate crimes still haunting
A LASTING LEGACY: Living up to the great precedent set by past leaders
PINNING STATE: Pirate wrestlers take 2nd, 5th and 7th place
page 2
page 3
page 7
Fans cheer
on the girls’
basketball
team at the
Valparaiso
Regional as
the team leads
Merrillville
to the first
regional title
in the school’s
history. The
Pirates beat
Munster
68-60 in the
morning game
and defeated
Elkhart
Memorial 55-54
at night. Photo
by Giolas.
Always a good
time for orange
FEATURES
Expert advice
on careers
SPORTS
Building football tradition
LAYING THE WAY FOR PRIDE, BRICK BY BRICK
tBY JULIA DICKEN
Girls advance
to final four in state
Quoted
“willRacism
always be
around. In a
perfect world,
it would
not exist.
”
U.S. history teacher
Mr. Dan Schoon said,
on parents passing
down racism to their
children.
Commemorating the school’s
football tradition, the Wall of Pride
will extend over the front entryway
of Demaree Stadium. The wall
will be approximately 8 feet in
height and composed of engraved
8-by-8 inch bricks and engraved
12-by-12 inch and 16-by-16 inch
black granite.
“I think it will improve the look
of the stadium while recognizing
past Pirates,” Principal Mike Krutz
said, who will be purchasing a
brick.
Bricks will contain a logo,
name and class as well as two lines
of the buyer’s choice, limited to 16
characters each. Logos available
on the order form include a Pirate
head, football, megaphone and
musical notes while businesses
purchasing a brick may send
their logo via e-mail. The brick is
available in red and ivory.
The idea for the wall was
pitched by a salesman, and Athletic
Director Janice Qualizza thought it
was a great one.
“With all the success we’ve
had with the football program, I
felt that it was an opportunity to
let people show their pride,” Ms.
Qualizza said.
Mr. Krutz said that some alumni
have already made commitments
to purchase a brick when Ms.
Qualizza informed them of the
new fundraiser at a recent sporting
event. Ms. Qualizza, heading
support for the wall, is also
purchasing a brick.
The fundraiser is unlike
any conducted by the Athletic
Department in the past.
“In this day and age, you
have to come up with different
fundraisers, and this is something
that is definitely going to benefit a
lot of people,” Mr. Krutz said.
Current and former football
players, coaches, cheerleaders
and members of the band, as well
as those involved in the football
program, are welcome to purchase
a brick.
“We want to see how this goes
first. If other sports teams are
interested, we will consider putting
up walls near their fields,” Ms.
Qualizza said.
The wall is expected to be
completed sometime in June or
July for the next football season.
The sooner a large quantity
of bricks are sold, the sooner
construction can begin.
“We aren’t going to put up the
wall with ten bricks. We will wait
until we have a couple hundred,”
Ms. Qualizza said.
Ms. Qualizza said that the most
difficult part of the fundraiser is
spreading the word.
“I’m really excited. I hope word
gets out and we sell enough to put
it all up at once,” Ms. Qualizza
said.
Order forms and brochures
are available in the athletic office
and on the Athletic Department’s
website.
News
2
Dodging balls and playing
games to raise money
tBY PATTI ZIMMERMAN
Just by collecting change for
several weeks through Penny
Wars, Dodge Ball teams raised
$1510.59 for the Sam Troutman
Scholarship and yearbook
memorial page for Troutman.
The yearbook pages cost $600,
while the rest goes to the
scholarship fund.
“I’m really proud of that we
only needed $600, so I’m really
happy,” Senior Carlos Ortega
said.
The senior class and sponsors
have set a goal to have two
scholarships this year and would
like to have enough money raised
for at least one or two next year.
Fifteen teams made the
final cuts February 11 for the
tournament, but all the teams that
were cut had one more chance to
raise money February 16.
The Mean Machines raised the
most money, $143.51.
The winning team, Black
Irish Coffee, raised $83.98, and
will be playing at the Dodge
Ball tournament March 12. The
team that raised the most money
through the Penny Wars was
the Mean Machine, bringing in
$143.51.
Only seniors are allowed to
attend, and there will not be an
extra charge at the tournament.
The senior class is also
sponsoring a Game Night March
4 in the freshman cafeteria.
Game night is open to
everyone, including the public.
There will be a $5 donation at
the door that includes all of the
games. Donations collected will
go toward the Sam Troutman
Scholarship fund.
Call of Duty, Modern Warfare
2 and beanbag toss tournaments
will be available. Traditional
board games like checkers and
Pictionary will also be available.
“Anyone that is interested
in the Call of Duty or Modern
Warfare 2 tournaments should
come to Game Night as soon
as it starts to sign up, ” Senior
sponsor Mrs. Rae Lopez stated.
Every winner will receive a
prize that was donated by local
businesses. Game Night will be
held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
“Sam would like it. At least I
would and I know him,” Ortega
said.
Ending racial violence
tBY MEREDITH DOBES
On the evening of October
26, 1934, Claude Neal was
castrated, cut and stabbed with
knives and sticks in the torso,
robbed of his fingers and toes,
burned with hot irons, shot 18
times and dragged to a farm
“where women and children
participated in the final acts of
mutilation,” according to pbs.
org.
This man was automatically
assumed to be guilty of
murdering Lola Cannidy, a
young white woman, because of
his race and status in American
society.
He was not given a fair trial
or a proper burial. Neal’s body
was hung from a tree. Pictures
of the lynching were sold, along
with Neal’s fingers and toes.
“Racism exists due to smallminded people. People are
easily swayed to believe things
that aren’t true. It’s easy for
people to find a scapegoat,” U.S.
history teacher Mr. Dan Schoon
said.
Racism in the South was more
prominent because the South
was less industrialized than the
North before the Civil War and
more farm-oriented. Southerners
wanted African Americans to
work for free and did not think
of them as human beings. Public
lynching occurred often because
it was socially acceptable.
Many years after the Neal
lynching, in 1991, Rodney King
was beaten and tased by multiple
Los Angeles police officers
because he was thought to have
been resisting arrest after being
caught speeding.
Unlike the instance of racial
violence with Neal, King’s
victimization “sent shockwaves
around the world and enraged the
already frustrated Los Angeles
African-American community,
which felt that racial profiling
and abuse by the police
had gone long unchecked,”
according to time.com.
Two of the four officers
accused with King’s beating
were convicted and sentenced to
30 months in prison. The other
two officers were acquitted.
“The South thought that
our constitution wasn’t for
everyone. The US has opened
its eyes to see that what
happened in the South was
wrong,” Mr. Schoon said.
On Google’s News search,
typing in the words “racial
violence” results in multiple
recent articles, some from hours
ago.
“Parents are teaching their
children the same things.
Racism will always be around,”
Mr. Schoon said. “In a perfect
world, it would not exist.”
Cookin’ for cash
tKAITLYN CYGAN
March 6, Key Club members
will host the annual Chili Cookoff. The cook-off begins at 3
p.m. in the freshman cafeteria.
“There are three different
categories you could win. Mr.
Nick Petralia won first place in
Judges’ Choice last year,” Mrs.
Carrie Bedwell said.
The Chili Cook-off benefits
the Lupus Foundation.
“I was happy, excited and
truly caught off guard. I did not
expect to win. I have the recipe
for sale if anyone is interested.
Asking price is $10. Room
9G202. I will not be entering this
year,” Mr. Petralia said.
Last year 20 people signed
up. So far there are only 10
people signed up, but Key Club
members are confident they
will have 20 by the time the
competition date arrives. The
cost is $5 to sample all of the
contestant’s chili. There will be
a concession stand serving hot
dogs, chips, pop and water.
“I received $100 for winning
and immediately gave it back
to the Lupus Foundation,” Mr.
Petralia said
“This is our fifth year being
involved. The Lupus Foundation
held the event three additional
years in Portage before the MHS
Key Club became involved.
The most raised at the event
was $800. Last year’s event
raised $4,600 for the Lupus
Senior Matt McLindon’s outfit
draws attention to his Hawaiian
chili last year, which included
pineapple in the ingredients.
Foundation,” Mrs. Bedwell said.
Mr. Phil Potempa from The
Times is the head judge. He
usually chooses two others with
a background in food to assist
him.
This year, Merrillville FACS
teacher Mrs. Maggie Stallings,
will be on the panel.
Reading it up during
Black History Month
tRACHEL WALTON
During the month of February,
the Media Center will be
celebrating Black History Month.
Students can read any books
from these six black authors:
Maya Angelou, Angela Johnson,
Walter Dean Myers, Toni
Morrison, Sharon Draper, or
Ernest J Gaines, and pass the
Reading Counts test.
After passing the test, students
will receive a piece of candy.
They are also entered into a
drawing for a bigger prize.
Each Media Center will give
away a free book to the winners.
Next month the Media Center
will sponsor be a similar contest
for Women’s History Month.
Opinion
3
Life is one big check list A lasting legacy
Wake up from a dream.
Check. Get dressed. Check. Eat
pancakes with syrup. Check.
Walk out the door. Check. Forget
ID. Check. Go back into the
house. Check. No, life doesn’t
have to be this list worthy, but
it doesn’t kill a person live with
some sort of organization.
When we were young, there
were no worries and all we cared
about was who was
on whose team for a
game of Red Rover
at recess. As we
grew a little older,
our responsibilities
got heavier and our
frame of thinking
shifted to homework,
chores and our
extracurricular
activities after school.
Once we came to high
school, there was no
more time to mess
around. It was crunch time. Well,
for most people.
For those selected individuals
that still only worry about recess
or play time, wake up and smell
the reality; put forth some effort.
Work for what you want
because the rest of us seem
to understand the concept.
Acknowledge that things might
blow up in flames, but remember
there is always a light at the end
of the tunnel.
The young adults that are
fully aware of the twists and
turns in life understand that the
best way to live a comfortable
life is to have organization: a life
list. Living itself is one big check
list. Yet, this isn’t an actual list.
It’s a check list in your brain.
In “The Game of Life” there
is a major ‘check list’ factor in
the rules to the game. You start
off going to college, get a job,
get married, buy a house, have
kids (maybe twins), send them
to college, become a grandparent
and, finally, retire.
In the board game, there are
also those unexpected events like
floods and getting fired from a
job.
Even though life isn’t a board
game and you don’t get what you
want by a simple roll of a dice,
of Merrillville High School, 276 E. 68th
The Mirror
Pl., Merrillville, IN 46410.
Opinion
Jill Larson
Features
Caitlyn Hill
The Mirror is the student newspaper
Publications at MHS are members
of the Indiana High School Press
Arts & Entertainment
Association, National Scholastic Press
Association and Quill and Scroll.
Sports
Michael Dicken, Jim Wright
Photo
Raevyn Harper
Letters to the editor are welcome.
Meredith Dobes
Students may drop off their letters in
Reporters Morgan Lamb, Kaitlyn Cygan Room M108.
Stehpanie Ferrell, Julia Dicken,
Editor
Julia Dicken
Michael Dicken, Meredith Dobes
News Patti Zimmerman
Nicole Blas, Raevyn Harper
real life can be somewhat like
this game.
Life is unexpected always
and being ready for it can only
benefit yourself. Having a
list of things that you want to
accomplish can help you work
harder for those certain things.
Most seniors at MHS just
checked or are checking off the
dreaded term paper on their own
check lists.
As we have
learned, there is
good that comes
with every bad,
and now seniors
can look forward
to the next few
items on the
list: winning
scholarship
money, going to
prom, graduating
and summer of
2010.
In between those items on
the list, there may be spots that
may seem hard to get through. At
that time, keep looking at your
personal check list for support.
It will help you get through the
rough patches in life. That list,
full of goals, will keep you going
and working hard to reach every
milestone check point.
tBY JILL LARSON
Reporters
Baker Kepchar, Caitlyn Hill
Allison Kish, Jill Larson
Korey Loudermilk, Brandon Neal
Chaloni Walker, Rachel Walton
Jim Wright, Patti Zimmerman
Adviser
Mrs. Teresa Procter
Letters to the editor must be
200 words, signed by the student
and delievered to
room M108.
Changes that
extraordinary
Black Americans
forced still have
impact today
Imagine.
What if the America we live
in today had never changed?
No Martin Luther King Jr.
delievering an “I Have a Dream
Speech” on the steps of Lincoln
Memorial or Rosa Parks
refusing to give up her seat.
What if none of the people
who fought for African
American rights ever existed?
How would life be like in
America and even at a school
that’s as diverse as Merrillville?
Ask yourselves these questions
and cherish the rights that now
exist.
Malcolm X, Dr. King,
Fredrick Douglas, Dred Scott,
Harriet Tubman and Rosa Parks
are just few of the people who
fought for change in this world,
and the rights available today
are abused.
Before the Civil Rights
Movement in the 1960s, many
African Americans weren’t
even able to get an education
or able to read. It’s a shame
that now that the opportunity
is available, people aren’t
reaching for it.
Every day in this school,
more students are either
sagging their pants, getting a
detention for arguing or calling
their friends the ‘N’ word five
times in a sentence.
It’s understandable if words
like that are being said when
friends are just around, but
when it’s being yelled across
a room filled with people who
judge blacks already, that’s just
giving another reason for them
to think black people are stupid.
Why must black people live
up to the ignorant stereotype
when they are better than that.
It’s sad to think about how
Dr. King sacrificed his life
trying to make better lives for
his people and they act the way
they do. If he were alive today,
he would be so disappointed.
Don’t let all that happened
in the past go to waste. This
is the truth, and some may get
offended, but it needs to be
said.
It’s easy to be ignorant and
not try, but it’s hard to succeed.
Success does not come easy.
You have to work at it and
strive every possible distance.
Don’t be another black
person who is put in the
“ignorant” category.
The steps to change might be
hard, but it’s never too late to
change your life around.
It took many tries and
even death for famous black
Americans, but the change
happened.
tBY RAEVYN HARPER
4
Choosing
Go for what interests you
Fifty community leaders
came to the freshmen center last
month to talk about their jobs.
Career Day was organized by
Counselors Ms. Lori Magnuson
and Ms. Kerry Wiersbe and
Small Learning Community
Grant Director Mrs. Lorri
Covaciu.
Partnering with MHS to
present the Career Day were
local businesses. Chipotle
provided lunch for the presenters
and Strack and Van Til in
Merrillville provided water and
pop.
“We wanted to introduce
students to careers they might
not know exist and learn more
about those they do,” Mrs.
Covaciu said. “We want to
provide role models for freshmen
in the professional realm.”
Part of the mission of the
Small Learning Communities
project is to provide opportunities
for career exploration and to
interact with the community.
The Merrillville Community
School Corporation, Tri Creek
schools and the School City of
Hammond are sharing a threeyear $2.7 million grant from the
federal government.
“We continue to focus on
graduation and beyond,” Mrs.
Covaciu said. “The more you
learn, the more you earn.”
“And I would have all the
lettuce if it gets approved,” Dr.
Brian Coleman said about
finishing up and patenting the
ankle-joint replacement he and a
few other colleagues are working
on.
As the first African American
to do a toe and ankle replacement
in the world, and the only foot
and ankle
specialist
in this half
of Indiana,
Dr. Coleman
has known
discipline
since
elementary
school.
“I was
throwing
snowballs
and broke a
window at the school, while my
dad was the sixth grade teacher
and he whooped me in front of his
whole class.”
What pushed Dr. Coleman to
be a doctor was his interest in
math and science, and growing
up with little money.
“What you like, what you’re
comfortable in” is what he says
is the key to happiness when
choosing your career.
“When a person looks at your
Class of
Career
Choices
life, and looks at your résumé
on paper, they can tell your
life. If there are holes and gaps,
you need to be able to explain it.
Employers look for dedicated and
reliable workers,” Dr. Coleman
said.
Also a member of “100 Black
Men of America,” Dr. Coleman
visits and mentors students and
adults, not
just AfricanAmericans, in
hopes to help
find solutions
to life problems
for these kids
and adults.
As an
orthopedic
surgeon, Dr.
Coleman
deals with
the musculoskeletal system. He is also an
ankle and foot specialist.
It took Dr. Coleman, with
no breaks, 14 years to finish
college. That included four years
of college, four years of medical
school, five years of residency
and one year of fellowship for his
foot and ankle specialist title.
He advises students to
“maximize your potential in the
subjects you like and are good
at.” Which is exactly what he did.
Presenter
eduation and
Storie
Kaitlyn Cy
Raevyn H
Allison
and
Be ready to work t
WGN’s Morning Show
producer picks the best stories to
deliver to the public
Ms. Kathryn Janicek loves her
job because she is the first to hear
potential news and pick the best
to deliver to the public.
She also meets celebrities
and important politicians.
Although the job seems fun and
interesting, it takes a long time
for one to reach her status.
“I have been working in the
media for 14 years, traveling all
over the country to get where I
am.” Ms. Janicek said.
To get the most updated
news, she works all night, from
midnight to 11 a.m., to prepare
the news for the daily morning
update.
Melissa
Kwiatkoski
When thoughts of a career in
film come to minds, chances are
that people are also thinking of
Hollywood and people who earn
millions a year. Yet behind every Steven Spielberg
and top director lies a lesser known face who is
happily working towards their dream.
Like Senior Melissa Kwiatkowski who dreams of
producing her own feature film someday.
“Since Freshman year of Pnn it’s been my
dream to direct,” Kwiatkowski said. “Before I joined
I didn’t know what I wanted to do,” she added.
She s
hours a
and sett
importan
“I love
said. “I
tell the p
know.”
The r
kind of
same. A
college a
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One m
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a job is e
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Amber Medwetz
“I want to see kids succeed and
reach their full potential,” Senior
Amber Medwetz said. Medwetz
hopes to attend Ball State
University and major in Elementar
Medwetz was inspired to teach by he
teacher Mrs. Parker. “Her passion to
succeed inspired me” Medwetz said.
also chosen as the Lily Scholarship
Merrillville. “I was ecstatic when I fo
the Lily, it would take off the finan
will be a great honor,” Medwetz said
5
A Career
rs emphasize
d passion for job
es and captions by
ygan, Stephanie Ferrell,
Harper, Baker Kepchar,
Kish, Morgan Lamb
d Chaloni Walker
to climb corporate ladder
said she also works 60
week, collecting stories
ting them up in order of
nce.
e my job,” Ms. Janicek
get the opportunity to
people what they should
requirements for any
media are relatively the
Attending a four year
and working for the
newspaper or TV media are
requirements needed.
must know writing,
ar and new technology.
ther skill for landing
experience. To gain the
nce, one must go through
ry Education.
er eighth grade
o see kids
. Medwetz was
nominee from
ound out. If I get
ncial burden and
d.
many internships, and most of
the time, these jobs do not pay.
Competition always plays an
important issue in this field of
work.
“We try hard to have more
viewers than FOX, NBC, ABC,
and other companies,” Ms.
Janicek said.
The news always has to be
up-to-date and accurate. No one
wants to hear the news from two
days ago, she said.
To get in the field of media is
very time consuming, but very
rewarding.
“Media is everything,” she
said. “You have to work your
butt off, but in the end, it is
worth it.”
Blair McDaniel
Having high hopes of being
a neurosurgeon, Senior Blair
McDaniel plans to attend
Purdue University in West
Lafayette.
McDaniel hopes to earn a minor in International
Business and complete Pre-Med at Purdue
University. After finishing Pre-Med, McDaniel
hopes to attend medical school at either Johns
Hopkins or Loyola.
“I want to help people who are less fortunate and
can not afford medical procedures,” McDaniel said.
School first — then choose a specialty
They prosecute, they defend,
they help and sometimes they
hurt. They are lawyers.
But in all these things, their
job is to make sure they do their
part in making these just and
fair.
Mrs. Trista Hudson, a lawyer
for Porter County, prosecutes
people who neglect, abuse or harm
their children in any form.
“It’s our job, as lawyers, to
help society with what we do,” she
said.
She explained the different
levels of conviction and how
much time convicts serve.
For example, there are no
degrees of murder in the State of
Indiana. When a felon commits
murder, he or she automatically
has the sentence of 20 to 65
years in prison.
And while other states make
a big deal of tickets, Indiana’s
tickets are the lowest form of
misdemeanors. It’s when citizens
don’t pay the ticket and not
cooperate with the system that
gets them in trouble. Those
actions lead to felonies, which
can mean to two to eight years
in jail.
“The biggest part of our job is
to be fair,” Mrs. Hudson said.
Becoming a lawyer takes
seven years. After four years
as an undergraduate, would-be
lawyers have to go to a certified
law school for three years. Once
law school is completed, they
take the bar exam — a test that
goes over everything that they
Sean Schafer
While taking graphic design
his whole high school career,
Senior Sean Schafer has grew
a strong passion for it. “Ever
since I took the class, I liked it a
lot,” Schafer said. Schafer wants to attend Purdue
Calumet and major in graphic design. “I took the
class because I heard you get to make shirts and I
wanted to try it,” Schafer said. Schafer would like
to continue in graphic design and would suggest
to anyone to take the class. “It’s a fun class, and
you get to make your own shirts,” Schafer said.
learned, all things law — in
the state where they desire to be
licensed.
Lawyers can establish their
own law firms, join another law
firm or work for the government
or business.
The salary of a lawyer varies,
depending on where the lawyer
is employed and how long he has
worked as an attorney.
On average, a lawyer working
for the state can expect to make at
least $40,000 a year. Mix this in
with some experience and maybe
even establishing a law firm, and
then a lawyer can probably expect
to make between $80,000 and
$100,000 a year.
Being a prosecuting attorney
isn’t always easy. There are
times when they don’t win a case
and those have their own regrets.
“The times my job is the
hardest is when I have to explain
why a case worked out the way it
did to a victim who isn’t happy,”
Mrs. Hudson said. “Sometimes,
it’s just simply because the law
doesn’t allow me to do what they
would like to see happen.”
Cha’yra Eddie
“I have always found myself
debating and arguing to try
and prove my point,” Senior
Cha’yra Eddie said. Eddie hopes
to attend Harvard University and major in Law.
After graduating, she would like to pursue a higher
degree and someday either own her own practice,
become a judge, or teach a law course. Eddie also
said that Advanced Placement Government added
to her reasons why she wanted to study law. “Mr.
Stamper’s passion and zeal really inspired me,”
Eddie said.
6
Arts & Entertainment
Mix tapes land deals ‘A Clockwork Orange’ is a juicy read
for new rappers
tBY BRANDON NEAL
[email protected]
In mid-2006, a new trend
developed in underground rap.
Industry veteran Lil’ Wayne
publicly reinvented his career by
releasing mix tapes featuring his
rapping over beats from recent
hits. 2006 and 2007 were the
years Lil’ Wayne blew up in the
music industry, not because of
the records he was selling, but
the mix tapes he was releasing.
In that time period, Wayne
released “Dedication 2,” “Da
Drought 3” and “Da Drought is
Over,” all of which were mix
tapes.
“When rappers are releasing
mix tapes, that’s when they are
at their best because they are not
holding back on what they say.
The songs on the radio are nice,
but the songs on mix tapes are
even better,” Freshman Andre
Walker said.
Shortly after he was releasing
those mix tapes, Wayne started
to appear on numerous songs,
like “Gimme That” by Chris
Brown, “Make it Rain” by Fat
Joe, “I Want You” by Lloyd, “We
Taking Over” by DJ Khaled and
“Duffle Bag Boy” by Playaz
Circle. After all these songs
were released between 2006 and
2007, in June 2008, Lil’ Wayne
decided to release another album,
“The Carter 3.” It was a huge
success, selling more than 1
million copies in the first week.
Sophomore Demontae Pate
responded to the trend.
“It is a smart idea to get
yourself noticed using mix
tapes,” Pate said.
Then again, in mid-2009,
underground rap saw a new
artist by the name of Drake.
Drake followed Wayne’s trend
of releasing mix tapes and being
featured on a lot of songs on the
radio. Drake released his mix
tape, “So Far Gone,” and he was
known for his song, “Best I Ever
Had.” “So Far Gone” was so
good that he eventually released
it into stores and was signed to
Wayne’s “Young Money” group.
Around the same time, while
Wayne was still looking to
improve his group, he introduced
Nicki Minaj. Minaj is known for
her unique lyrical skills, like in
Young Money’s “Roger That”
and “Still I Rise.” Since then,
Drake and Minaj have worked
with various artists.
Then, Rashad Davis, also
known as Gucci Mane, followed
the same trend with mix tapes.
Gucci Mane received fame in
2005 with the release of his
CD, “The Trap House.” Then,
in 2009 alone, he had 17 guest
appearances on songs.
In 2009, he also released his
sophomore album “The State
vs. Radric Davis” that featured
songs like “Wasted,” “Spotlight,”
“Lemonade” and “Sex in Crazy
Places.”
The So Icey artist
development sector is now
seeing a new, promising rap star
rise to fame, Waka Flocka Flame.
Just like the other rappers,
Waka started from producing
mix tapes and getting glory. His
experimental song “O Lets Do
It” blew huge for him in the past
few months.
One coincidence that can be
seen is that all of the rappers
mentioned started off using mix
tapes to get themselves noticed.
Artists are now using mix tapes
as if they’re basketball players
sending game tapes to try to get
recruited from a scouting agency.
No longer will rookie rappers
have to give veteran rappers
a “demo” tape. New coming
rappers can just release a mix
tape, not only for record label
producers, but for fans as well.
They’ve become promotional
tools for artists and record labels
trying to build a buzz.
tBY NICOLE BLAS
Crime and prison may
not sound like very pleasant
topics, but that’s fine because
“A Clockwork Orange” by
Anthony Burgess is anything but
pleasant. Just because it’s not
cheerful does not mean it’s not
a great novel. In fact, it is such
a phenomenal book that it is
considered a classic.
The story takes place in the
somewhat near future where
violent teenagers run the city
after nightfall. Alex DeLarge is
the leader of his vicious gang and
the star of the novel. DeLarge
gets sent to prison after one
horribly violent night.
While in prison, he hears
about a new treatment for
inmates that will decrease jail
time drastically because it
“effectively” changes the way
criminals act. DeLarge finds out
that this new treatment may not
be the solution to the crowded
jails and high crime rates that the
government thought it was.
What makes “A Clockwork
Orange” such a literary marvel
is that Burgess created his
own slang for the book called
“Nadsat.” The new words
keep the futuristic setting from
becoming dated. In the following
example, DeLarge is justifying
why he hit a man: “‘You
understand about that tolchock
on the rot, Dim. It was the music,
see. I get all bezoomny when
any veck interferes with a ptitsa
singing, as it might be.’”
As you can see, the slovos
are a bit hard to pony. Whoops!
I meant to say: as you can see,
the words are a bit hard to
understand, but they get easier to
follow after only a few chapters.
I nearly became “fluent” in the
language after reading for just an
hour or two.
This book is for mature
audiences and preferably for
readers who are not faint of
heart.
coverbrowser.com
There is violence and crime
on almost every page. There
are a few very sensitive scenes
where DeLarge has his way
with women. Although I found
myself disgusted at some parts,
I reminded myself that I have
seen much worse in movies or on
television shows. These scenes
have a point, however; they
are put into the novel to show
DeLarge’s transformation from
evil criminal to moral decisionmaker.
I urge you to give “A
Clockwork Orange” a try. The
“Nadsat” language might seem
intimidating, but you should not
let that stop you from reading it.
If you are not a fan of violence,
then you might want to read
something else. However, if you
are just looking for a fantastic
book to nourish your mind, then
this is the perfect candidate.
It’s about time our generation
moved away from vampires and
werewolves and onto oranges.
During the seventh annual Freshman-Sophomore Winter Formal, Sophomore April Bailey and
Freshman Edith Amitoelau were crowned queens. The dance was sponsored by Family, Career and
Community Leaders of America. About 160 freshmen and sophomores attended the dance.
Sports
Three senior wrestlers
place in top ten at state
tBY MICHAEL DICKEN
Out of the three wrestlers that
advanced to the state tournament
last year that returned this
year, the same three have
once again advanced to state.
Seniors Zac Stevens (103 lbs),
Anthony Napules (125 lbs) and
James Travis (heavyweight) all
qualified for the state finals at
the Conseco Fieldhouse in the
state capital February 19 and 20.
Stevens is set to wrestle West
Noble High School Sophomore
William Nelson in the opening
round. Napules will wrestle Mt.
Vernon (Posey) High School
Sophomore Jonathon Hoehn in
the opening round. Travis will
wrestle Milan High School Ben
Jackson.
All three advanced through
the opening round on Friday.
After winning in the opening
round, Stevens was defeated
by Southwestern Junior Luke
Schroeder. Then, in the wrestle
backs, he lost to Warsaw
Sophomore Jarred Brooks. To
take seventh, Stevens defeated
Prairie Heights Junior Danny
Hamm 7-3.
Napules won in the opening
round, and then lost to Roncalli
Senior Zac Stevens throws a crossface to his opponent during a
seasonal meet against Valparaiso. Stevens advanced past the first
round of state but lost the next day of the competition, giving him 7th
in state. Photo by Giolas.
Junior Justin Kieffer. To get to
a higher ranking, Napules then
won two straight to earn fifth.
Travis, after winning in the
opening round, got two straight
pins in the semi and quarter
finals. Travis faced Yorktown
Senior Ross Janey, who was
also undefeated heading into
the match. At the end of the
match, only one would remain
undefeated, and Janey took first
place.
Travis lost the match 3-2,
and nearly scored a takedown,
which would’ve won it for him.
Travis earned second, and along
with his classmates Stevens
and Napules will join a storied
history of Merrillville wrestling.
Bradshaw College Consulting
• College Admissions Consulting
• PSAT / SAT / ACT Tutoring
www.BradshawCollegeConsulting.com
[email protected]
219-663-3041
Located in Crown Point, Indiana
Educated Advice Columnist
in the Post-Tribune
7
Coach Staford has
high expectations
for his first season
tBY MICHAEL DICKEN
Last season, the Pirates
softball team finished with a
record of 3-24, while finishing
1-13 in the Duneland Athletic
Conference. With new Head
Coach Jake Stafford, the Pirates
have been working hard in order
to have a better season.
“It feels great to be the head
coach. It’s exciting, and it’s a lot
of hard work, planning, but I’ve
enjoyed it so far,” Coach Stafford
said.
The softball players have been
working hard and practicing
since after Thanksgiving.
“Everyone is dedicated. My
expectations for the up coming
season are to be competitive in
every game,” Coach Stafford
said.
Coach Stafford also expects
the team to finish with a .500
winning percentage in the DAC.
Luckily enough, the Pirates
only lost one key player to
graduation, and are returning
eight starters.
“We got Seniors Kaitlynn
Sterkowitz (catcher), who was
last year’s Most Valuable Player,
Lindsay Mitchell (pitcher),
Chelsea Oyervides (2nd
baseman) and Natalie Riechers
(1st baseman), who was last
year’s Leadership award winner,
all returning, along with other
key players,” Coach Stafford
said.
Coach Stafford is also excited
about some new players looking
to contribute to the team.
“I’m really excited about
Sophomore Inesha Smith, who’s
going to be playing outfield for
us, and also Sophomore Megan
Dicken, who will be our backup
catcher,” Coach Stafford said.
Boys swim their way
to sectional finals
tBY JIM WRIGHT
[email protected]
In the first round of sectionals
February 18 in LaPorte,
Merrillville’s boys swimming
team did well and several
individuals and relays advanced.
Individually, Junior Jacob
Caddick, Senior Colin Burke,
Junior Autry Phillips and Junior
Robert Dominick-Warren
advanced in their events.
Many relay teams advanced,
including the medley relay,
taking fifth place (DominickWarren, Caddick, Burke and
Phillips); and the 400 relay,
taking fifth place (Burke,
Harmon, Philips and Caddick).
The 200 free (Junior Kyle
Schroeder, Dominick-Warren,
Darren Blaylock and Phillips)
advanced, but would not swim
in the championsuip heat at the
sectional championship.
“We swam our best and that’s
what enabled us to advance so
many people,” Caddick said.
These sectional championship
qualifiers went back to LaPorte
February 20, hoping to advance
to regionals.
“We did our best and
everyone swam as hard as they
could, but unfortunately nobody
made it out,” Caddick said.
Underclassmen say they will
look forward to next year and
continue to swim by their motto.
“Get speed. Keep speed.”
Caddick said.
Sports
8
Lady Pirates first regional
champs in school history
tBY JIM WRIGHT
[email protected]
84-64 64-42 60-55 55-54
The Merrillville girls
basketball team has done
something it hasn’t in 21 years
and that is winning the sectional
title. The Pirates started off their
sectional run February 12 against
the Michigan City Wolves. The
Pirates won that game 84-64
with their leading scorer Senior
Bryonna Davis. Davis set a new
school record scoring 37 points
in that game.
Senior forward Lydia Hawkins drives between three Valparaiso defenders during the Valparaiso Sectional
championship game February 15. Hawkins finished with 8 points in the game as the Merrillville Pirates
went on to defeat the Vikings 60-55 to earn their first sectional title in 21 years. Last weekend, the Pirates
captured the first girls’ basketball regional title in the school’s history, advancing to the final four. Photo
by Giolas
“I’m proud of myself,” Davis
said.
Following the win over
Michigan City, the Pirates played
the Hobart Brickies February 15.
They handled the Brickies with
ease as they went on to win 6442. The highest scoring Pirates
in that game were Sophomore
Raveen Murray and Davis.
Murray scored 16 and Davis
scored 12, putting her over the
1000 point mark in her career.
That is the second time that
has ever happened on the girls’
basketball team. The only other
girl to reach that high of a mark
was Marshay Jolly in the 20032004 season.
February 15 the Pirates had
to beat the Valparaiso Vikings
at their home court in order to
claim their first sectional title in
21 years. The Pirates didn’t pull
away with another double-digit
victory. In fact they were down
most of the game, partially due
to the poor free throw shooting,
shooting 22-33 in the game, but
they did get the win. Murray led
the team with a career high 32
points as the Pirates won 60-55.
“When we were down I made
sure I stayed focused. I was sick
throughout the game against
the Vikings so I was dizzy and
nauseated. I didn’t even realize
how well I really played until
following day,” Murray said.
Helping Murray come back
from their deficit was the rest of
the Pirates.
“We came back by playing
good defense, making key steals,
hitting our free throws and we
never gave up,” Davis said.
The game against Munster
to advance to the regional
championship was close
throughout.
“We already played them and
won. We can beat them,” Davis
Head Coach Amy Govert cuts
off the net from the basket in the
Valparaiso gym after defeating
the Vikings 60-55. Last year, the
Pirates finished the year 1011. This year Coach Govert is
leading her girls to an overall
record of 24-1 heading into
the semi-state game at Elkhart
Memorial. The Lady Pirates
have won the DAC, their first
sectional title in 21 years, and
the first regional title in school
history.
had said before the game.
Although the Pirates had
already beaten the Mustangs,
some things need to be worked
on in order to make sure it
happened again.
“We need to keep the offense
on and have no slack on defense.
All we need to think about is
communication and rebounding
the whole time,” Murray said.
The Pirates did just what they
hoped to against Munster, pulling
away with a 68-60 victory.
Later that night, the Pirates
played Elkhart Memorial for the
regional championship.
The Pirates won a nail-biter,
55-54. Tracee Mitchell hit two
clutch free throws to put the
Pirates ahead with five seconds
left in the game.