February 2009 - Crown Point Community School Corporation

Inklings
Volume 73 Issue 6 • Crown Point High School • 1500 S. Main Street Crown Point, IN 46307 • [email protected]
• Friday
February 27, 2009
Tomorrow’s forecast
High 31°
Low 19°
Your cell phone and you
Saturday:
Few snow
showers
$10
What does your cell phone (and its condition) say
about you? Match some popular teachers’ and
students’ cell phones to their owners.
page 8
From improv troupes to stand-up
comics, CPHS is full of comedians who
strive beyond being the class clown.
page 6
Com
edy tonight
so you want to spend
000,000,000,000
(trillion)
With the economy still in a downward spiral, Congress approved the latest bail-out plan, bringing
the total shelled out by the federal government to $10.8 trillion. But what does that mean for us?
When
the first economic bail-out package
entitled the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP)
was passed last October to the tune of $700 billion,
headlines around the world screamed of the heretofore
untold funds. That alone was more than the inflationadjusted cost of the entire 16-year Vietnam War,
according to Bianco Research.
That was also about $6.6 trillion ago.
By Megan Binder /
editor-in-chief
With the passage of the
American
Recovery
and
Reinvestment Plan last week,
the allocated funds for bail-out
spending having now increased
more than $6.6 trillion since TARP,
according to CNN. Much of the
money has been spent in efforts
to save failing corporations and
lending companies, like AIG and
the Big Three auto companies.
Add that to money allocated
by the Federal Reserve to make
loans, and a CNN running tally of
economically related bills shows
that $10.8 trillion has been made
available to lawmakers to try and
help save the economy.
Yet while much of that
money has gone to the largest
corporations,
the
American
Recovery and Reinvestment plan
is centered around the average
American and job creation.
“The stimulus plan’s main
purpose is to create at least 3
million jobs over the next few
years,”
AP
Microeconomics
teacher Dan Hartman said.
The plan’s price tag when it
finally reached President Obama’s
desk for signing was $825 billion.
Obama
and
Congressional
Democrats (who have a majority
in both the House and Senate)
have been seeking the passage of
this plan even before Obama took
office.
“The bill actually passed
very quickly, about 25 days
after President Obama took
office,” Hartman said. “The main
sticking point [particularly with
Republicans] was how much
money to spend in the plan.”
How much is
1 trillion?
• in dollars, every household in America could
buy a $9500 car
• ten times the number
of stars in our galaxy
• $1 trillion in stacked
quarters would
stretch from Earth
to the surface of
the moon and back
again...more than 8
times
Show me
the money
Where the latest
stimulus package
is headed
Education:
Photo by Georgia Otte
For the average American, the
$825 billion will be concentrated
in six major ways. It allots for a
doubling of alternative energy
production in the next three years,
modernizing and improving the
energy efficiency of three-fourths
of the federal buildings in the
U.S. and two million American
homes, computerizing medical
records within the next five years,
modernizing schools, expanding
the broadband internet grid
within the U.S., and investing in
science and technology.
“The problem is the middle
class is shrinking. The plan will
create new jobs for the middle
class, while at the same time
strengthen and rebuild the
nation’s infrastructure,” Hartman
said. “It also addresses major
issues that need to be fixed, like
energy independence.”
Whether or not the American
Recovery
and
Reinvestment
Plan can rejuvenate the economy
remains to be seen. The Indiana
Department
of
Workforce
Development showed last month
that Indiana’s jobless rate had the
highest jump in the nation. The
Times reported that Northwest
Indiana has one of the highest
unemployment rates in the nation,
second only to Los Angeles.
The economic downturn
has hit the area hard, with stores
like Circuit City and Value City
closing their doors forever.
•
•
•
$41 billion to local school
districts
$14 billion for a School
Modernization program
Up to $2500 tax credit for
college education for students enrolled in 2009-10
Infrastructure:
•
•
$6 billion to enlarge the grid
for broadband and wireless
technology across the U.S.
$1.1 billion for intercity rail
construction to increase and
improve passenger train use
Energy efficiency:
•
•
$300 million in consumer rebates to buy energy efficient
appliances
$6.2 billion for low-income
families to reduce energy
costs by weatherizing their
homes
Students, families face tough economic times in the region
By Megan Binder /
editor-in-chief
The economic woes that have
plagued the country have made
an impact here in Crown Point as
well. A report made by the U.S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics earlier
this month showed that Northwest Indiana had the second
highest year-to-year increase in
unemployment, behind only Los
Angeles.
For many students, the recession has affected both themselves
and their families.
“My dad had a business for
a few years fixing and programming two-way radios and doing
some work on sirens and lights
for police cars and the fire department,” freshman Donella Casillas
said. “But now money is tight and
he will have to close the business
by the end of March. He can still
do the work, but now he’ll have to
do it from home.”
Downsizing or moving to a
less expensive workplace is a common theme for small businesses.
Other businesses that rely on the
more disposable income of their
customers are suffering as well.
“My dad has his own drywall company, but people haven’t
been building much lately in the
area,” freshman Brooke Reising
said. “Business has been dying
off since last summer, and though
he’s been lowering prices it’s still
getting harder.”
The rapid rate of small business closings and job loss is what
inspired most of the portions of
the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan just passed in
Congress. The Plan budgets for
at least six major investment projects for the country, particularly
modernizing government buildings to promote energy efficiency,
doubling alternative energy production within the next few years,
and epxanding the internet and
technology grid in the U.S. The
Plan will hopefully create 3 million new jobs.
But for those who have already been hit by the recession, it
may not be enough to set things
back to normal.
“The stimulus package probably won’t stop my dad from
having to close his business in
March,” Casillas said.
While the recession has hurt
entire families, working students
have seen the affects of the crisis
as well.
“I worked at Urban Behavior, a clothing store in the mall,”
senior Ali Martin said. “But after
the entire chain went out of business we had to close our doors on
Aug. 31 of last year.”
Martin, like so many others,
found herself out of a job. She said
it took her about another month
to find work at another store.
“I applied all over town and
at the mall, but it took a while
before anyone got back to me,”
Martin said. “Now I’m back in a
clothing store [Max Rave].”
Martin said that working in a
retail environment has given her
a unique perspective on how the
economy has affected people.
“It’s amazing how angry
some people will get over prices,”
Martin said. “We recently had a
clearance sale, and I was ringing
up this woman’s items. When she
found out that one shirt was $4.99
instead of $2.99, she refused to
buy it. Still, [Max Rave] is pretty
resonably priced compared to
stores like Hollister, so our business hasn’t dropped as much as
others.”
Some students and their families have found creative ways to
deal with the recession and still
make money.
“My dad has been DJ-ing
since I was a kid,” Casillas said.
“Now sometimes I’ll come with
him and we do it together. It’s a
lot of fun, and we do make a little
extra money at it.”
2
save the date
3. 2-3.4
Six week assessment tests
News
Tale as old as time...
February 27, 2009
Theater department prepares for Beauty and the Beast
3. 10-12
I-STEP retesting
3. 11
Half day for students
3.6-8, 12-14
Spring Musical
3.23-27
Spring Break
in the know
Speech team earns recognition
Junior Ryan Farrell earned a first place ribbon for the Crown Point High School speech
team in the discussion category during recent
competition at McCutcheon High School. In
addition, sophomores Bekah Maddack and
Taylor Cantrell received second place ribbons
in the original performance category; Maddack also won a seventh place ribbon in the
poetry category.
The team placed tenth in the total sweepstakes points. Also competing were sophomore Amelia Claus and freshman Lily Sanchez. The team is coached by Jacob Adams.
String students earn gold
Crown Point High School Chamber Orchestra earned a perfect score in group I during the
recent Indiana State School Music Association
competition. The judges’ comments about the
Jan. 31 performances at Munster High School
included “Excellent preparation...A fine performance...very professionally done.” The
orchestra is directed by James Deal.
Band and Orchestra place at ISSMA
Two students earned perfect scores during state musical (ISSMA)competition. They
are band sophomore Kelsey Emery, who
earned a gold for her flute solo and orchestra senior Al Jabarin, who took gold for his
cello solo.
Also earning gold for solos at the band
competition are juniors Matt Barenie, Richard
Wayne, Chelsea Masolak; sophomore Caitlin
Harrison; and freshman Kyle Rodd. Additional students who received silver awards
as soloists are senior Kaitlin Topp and junior
Kelsey Bonhivert. Two ensembles, a clarinet
trio and a flute quartet, also went to state. Juniors Ryan Farrell, Elizabeth Szymanski; and
sophomore Katrina Hoernig received a silver
award for the clarinet trio, and senior Kaitlin
Topp, juniors Kelsey Bohnivert and Mary Jacobs, and sophomore Kelsey Emery received
a gold for the flute quartet.
Additional orchestra students receiving gold at state were juniors Lindzy Volk,
Corinne Kocher, and Xia Meng Howey; sophomores Emily Featherstone, Daniela Gazibara
and Justin Ritter; and freshman Lauren McCarroll. Students receiving silver are juniors
Jonathon Venegas, Carrie Ohlenkamp, and
freshman Todd Aulwurm.
Media Center Extends hours
The Media Center started offering extended after school hours for students on Feb. 23.
Students will have access to the facility and
resources every Monday, Wednesday, and
Friday until 5 p.m.
Correction
A caption in the January issue of Inklings
should have read that Showtime tapes its segments, rather than films, and new segments
air on Fridays only, not on Tuesdays and
Thursdays.
Photo By Jeremy Rex
Seniors Lindsay Hasse and Stephen Hubbell rehearse the opening scene of the show, where the Prince (Hubbell)
is transformed into the Beast by the wicked Enchantress (Hasse)’s magical spell.
By Cori Novelli /
executive editor
Disney’s acclaimed classic, Beauty
and the Beast, prepares to hit the stage
in March bringing to life this year’s
spring musical. The show portrays the
remarkable love story of a beautiful girl
finding love in the most unlikely place, a
Beast’s enchanted castle.
“It’s a great show; not only is it
familiar, but it’s appealing to all ages,”
senior Stephen Hubbell said. Hubbell,
who had never before been a part of
the musical, shares the role of the Beast
along with senior Kyle Land. “It’s so
much fun and we’re putting on a great
show. I wish I would have tried out
earlier,” he said.
Junior Emma Baker, who plays
the role of Mrs. Potts along with senior
Chrissy Kvachkoff, shares Hubbell’s
excitement.
“There’s so much more detail in the
musical where it goes so much more in
depth compared to the movie. It’s real
when it’s on stage; the audience can feel
the emotion unlike the cartoon movie
version,” Baker said.
The show’s potential derives from
the people there working together to
make it happen. “Everyone’s so talented,
from the chorus to the leads and the crew
and pit, to the directors and everyone
working behind the show to put it
together; it’s all based on great people,”
Baker said.
Also included in enhancing the
show are numerous special effects. As
opposed to the average three different
colored lights used to light the stage
in the past, Beauty & the Beast will be
using nine, in addition to the use of fog
and sound effects. There are also three
transformations in the musical that
include the changing of the prince into
the Beast.
According to director Kit Degenhart,
though, the show has come to be twice
as hard putting it together compared to
shows previous.
“Not only are there all of the
special effects especially with the
transformations, but we want to respect
the original while not creating a complete
copy,” Degenhart said.
The musical version also adds new
music and chorus numbers to both
liven up the show and create dramatic
scenes.
“There are many new songs [in
the musical version] that weren’t in the
movie invoking a variety of emotions
that add a deeper meaning to the show,”
Hubbell said.
With these emotions, the talent, the
music, and the set, there still resides the
classic story that makes Beauty and the
Beast a great show.
“It’s a great storyline that a lot of
people can connect with,” Baker said,
“as long as they give it a chance.”
Increase in road salt prices affects winter driving
By Anna Ortiz /
graphics editor
For those noticing a lack of traction on the roads of Crown
Point, it may be due to the recent salt shortage. The price of
road salt has increased from $34 per ton to $102 per ton in
just one season. This causes the city to be able to afford only
a portion of what it usually uses in road safety procedures,
lowering the usual use of 6,000 tons to 2,200 tons.
“Probably the biggest cause of the salt shortage is the
severe weather from last year,” Department of Public Works
Director Jay Olson said. “It caused people
to run out of salt, so this year the counties
ordered 2-3 times more than usual. The
smaller municipals [like Crown Point] were
left out, and because others ordered more
than usual, that left us with a shortage.”
According to Olson, another large cause
of the shortage is transportation. The salt is
usually transported by ship, and due to the
exceedingly low temperatures, the rivers
used as shipment routes have been frozen.
The effects are felt beyond the city limits.
“I can’t express enough how major [the
salt shortage] is. It’s not only a nationwide
problem, it’s global. Now we import all of
our salt from countries like India and China and the quality
isn’t as good,” Olson said.
According to FoxNews.com, some communities are
making plans to stretch supplies by mixing salt with materials
such as sand, brine, or even beet juice.
“We have changed our strategies, restricting the salt
routes to hospital routes, streets near schools, curves, hills, and
intersections. On other parts we just plow and don’t use salt,
except in the case of an ice storm. To conserve, we cut salt in
half with sand slag, mixing them fifty-fifty, and using liquid
road defroster,” Olson said.
What does this problem mean for those on the snow
or ice coated road? Statistics may tell the tale. According to
the Crown Point Police Department, the accident numbers
for last winter season were 61 accidents in November, 87 in
December, and 69 in January. This winter, however, includes
75 accidents in November, 95 in December, and 91 in January.
Junior Justine Brumfield had an accident this winter due to icy
road conditions.
“I got into an accident when I was driving down Randolph
Street. The roads were really icy and I slid and ended up
backwards in a ditch,” Brumfield said.
Brumfield feels that less traction can have a bad factor in
car accidents.
“Sometimes with no salt on the road there’s
more of a chance of spinning out on the ice,”
Brumfield said.
Resource Officer Chuck Noonan believes
that the causes of most of the accidents lie not in
the icy roads, but the person behind the steering
wheel.
“Basically, it’s not a fact of having less
traction, it’s how someone is attempting to drive.
You can’t just hit the gas like usual; you have to
know to use extra caution, and you can’t just
slam on the brakes. You need to know to slow
down in advance to stop,” Noonan said.
And with these conditions, one can only
wonder if the salt shortage factors in to the recent
school delays and cancellations.
“[The salt shortage] is a part of the decision making
process, which is intricate and multi-faceted. Basically, there
are two main decisions we look at--whether the buildings
are operational, such as if the air conditioning and heating
are functional, and the second is if buses can safely travel the
roads. That’s where the road salt shortage makes an impact, ”
Superintendent Dr. Teresa Eineman said.
Yet as spring approaches, drivers can breathe easy.
“We have enough salt stored to make it for the remainder
of the winter. Now that the weather is starting to get better, I
think the worst is behind us,” Olson said.
Did you know...
the price of road
salt has increased
from $34/ton to
$102/ton in just
one season?
February 27, 2009
Decathlon earns
team, individual
state honors
By Megan Binder / editor-in-chief
Crown Point’s Academic Decathlon team placed third at the
state competition Feb. 14. Coached
by English teacher John Lambersie,
the Academic Decathlon program
tests students in 10 different subject
and skill areas, like literature, math,
economics, professional interviews,
and a prepared speech. In addition
to their third place win based on the
team’s total score, they won a team
title in the interview category and a
second place team title in math.
Several members won individual medals as well. Senior Megan
Binder placed third overall in the
Honors category (students whose
GPA is 3.75 or above) and received a
gold medal in essay, a silver medal in
economics, and bronze medals in art,
interview, and literature.
Senior Matt Cruz placed third
overall in the Varsity division (students whose GPA is 2.99 and below)
and received a gold medal in math,
silver medals in music and interview,
and a bronze medal in economics.
Senior Alison Martin won a silver medal in literature and a gold
medal in speech in the Scholastic division (students whose GPA is 3.0 to
3.74). In addition, Martin was asked
to be one of only six students at the
competition to showcase her speech
(about how to speak intelligently) on
stage.
Other medaling team members include seniors Tom Ladendorf
(Honors category winner of a silver
medal in speech and bronze medal
in music), Nile Sobek (Scholastic
category winner of bronze medals
in social studies and science), and
Alex Van Gorp (Scholastic category
winner of gold medal in math and
bronze medal in science).
The rest of the team includes
Honors student and senior Mandy
Rattazzi, Varsity student and senior
Nicole Amodeo, and Varsity student
and sophomore Adam Page. The
team also has two alternates: junior
Sam Sanders and senior Rebekah
Maxwell.
News
Giving back
Juniors Sam Sanders, Katie Klein collect for Shriners Hospital
By Brittany Curtis and Kelly Rostin/
feature editor and staff reporter
Juniors Katie Klein and Sam Sanders
are just two of the thousands of children
who have received care from the Shriners
Hospital for Children. Now, the situation
has come full circle, and it is Klein and
Sanders who are giving to the Shriners
Hospital.
Klein and Sanders are collecting new
toys, books, and stuffed animals for children
who are staying at the Shriners Hospital for
Children, and are also accepting monetary
donations.
The Shriners Hospital was first formed
in 1922 and has helped to care for thousands
of kids with orthopedic conditions, burns,
spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and
palate for no charge. The Shriners Hospital
provides care for children up to the age of
18, and has helped thousands of families
throughout the country receive the medical
care that their children so desperately
need.
“I was born without a femur bone and
had two surgeries at the Shriners Hospital
on my leg when I was three and five. I still
go there for checkups, and when I saw the
children who were there I wanted to give
back,” Klein said.
Sanders was also a patient at the
Shriners Hospital for Children when he
was younger, and was treated there for
scoliosis.
“I went to the Shriners Hospital for my
scoliosis. There they corrected my curved
spine by placing metal braces throughout
it. I stayed in the hospital for a week
recovering. The people at the hospital were
very nice and helpful during my recovery,
and when I got out of the hospital I really
felt that I needed to give something back,”
Sanders said.
Both Sanders and Klein feel that
Shriners is one of the best hospitals,
particularly for younger children.
“Everything there was top notch,”
Sanders said. “If I had to go to any other
hospital, I don’t think it could’ve been
better than Shriners.”
Klein agrees.
“They had playgrounds in the
buildings. It was very colorful and not
scary at all,” Klein said.
Photo by Georgia Otte
Juniors Katie Klein and Sam Sanders hang up posters to promote their collection
drive for Shriners Hospital. Both students have been helped by the Shriners.
Klein and Sanders are urging people
to help out the hospital which cared for
them when they were children. They are
accepting a variety of gifts and donations
that will then be sent and offered to
children who are in the hospital. Gifts are
preferred to be new, because of sanitary
issues, but any donation would be greatly
appreciated.
“Students can bring in new games,
toys, stuffed animals, or anything that
Every year, from Fourth of July to
Christmas, the citizens of Crown Point join
to celebrate the holidays with lights, parades, and every type of decoration imaginable. This year, St. Patrick’s Day is no
different.
On Tuesday, March 17, 2009, at 6:45
p.m., the City of Crown Point will be hosting its first St. Patrick’s Day parade. The
event, if all goes well, is planned to become
an annual event for the City of Crown
Point.
“I think that the St. Patrick’s Day parade is a great idea,” senior Chelsea Gyure
said. “St. Pat’s Day kind of gets forgotten as
far as holidays go, and this is a good way to
start celebrating it.”
The parade will begin at Solon Robinson Elementary School and make its way
to Main Street, around the Courthouse
Square, and down Court Street towards
Wheeler Middle School.
The evening event will include emergency vehicles, Lake County Pipes and
Drums, and Mayor David D. F. Uran. The
parade, in all, will include 32 entries which
will represent each of the 32 counties in Ireland.
Along with the parade, the downtown area will be decorated with green
LED lights to celebrate the holiday and to
complement the festivities of the parade.
There will be window displays and many
other decorations to fit the St. Patrick’s Day
theme.
According to the City of Crown Point’s
website, the St. Patrick’s Day parade will
take place despite any inclement weather
there may be, whether it be rain, sleet, or
snow. Multiple municipal parking lots will
be available for parking around the downtown area.
might be fun for the children that are there
[in the hospital], but we will also accept
monetary donations. People can bring the
gifts to the spring musical of Beauty and the
Beast or give them to either Sam or me,”
Klein said.
For more information and for those
who want to help out with the collection or
donate something themselves, students can
contact Klein or Sanders or go to the Shriners
official website at www.shrinershq.org.
Pete Seat shares White
House experiences
with history classes
City of Crown Point plans
St. Patrick’s Day parade
By Matt Smith /
co-entertainment editor
3
By Deanna Sheafer / managing editor
Photo by Jeremy Rex
Ex-White House deputy press assistant
Pete Seat talks to history classes in the
auditorium. Seat showed a slideshow
presentation that included photos he
had taken both with celebrities (above,
Seat shows a photo taken of himself
and Stephen Colbert) and famous landmarks he visited around the world as a
member of the Bush administration.
Students heard a first-hand account of
working in the White House from former
Deputy Press Assistant who spoke at the
high school last week.
Seat, who worked for former President
George Bush for three and a half years, addressed the social studies students and answered questions from the audience. The
2001 Lake Central graduate and Schererville native said that he enjoys sharing his
experiences with students.
“It’s interesting to see what students
[here] are interested in, as the interests in
D.C. aren’t always the same as those outside of D.C.,” Seat said. “Students definitely ask questions that are more fun.”
Seat’s visit was arranged by social studies department chairperson Jim Ingelhart.
“Seat related fascinating information
regarding what it’s actually like in the
White House. This makes history interesting to students so that they really want to
learn about it,” Ingelhart said.
4
Opinion
Inklings
Inklings is a student
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Editors
Megan Binder
editor-in-chief
Cori Novelli
executive editor
Deanna Sheafer
managing editor
Lauren Cain
copy editor
Michele Bates
news editor
Brittany Curtis
feature editor
Becca Duggan
Matt Smith
co-entertainment editors
Trey Aultman
sports editor
Hunter McKee
sports assistant
Anna Ortiz
graphics editor
Becca Iddings
advertising editor
Joe Nejman
Georgia Otte
Alex Parrish
Jeremy Rex
photographers
Staff
Colin Likas
Vinnie Needham
Kelly Rostin
Milan Savich
Nikki Sekuloski
Jeff Tompkins
Adviser
Julie Elston
February 27, 2009
Obama proves
presidential merit
in his first 38 days
By Megan Binder / editor-in-chief
cartoon by
Anna Ortiz
Students learn best with teacher interaction
V
iew:
As online
classes
become
mainstream
and entirely
computerbased classes
go from
science fiction
to 7th hour,
we must
preserve the
relationship
between
teacher and
student for all
our sakes’
editorial
Ever since Socrates taught an eager and inquiring Plato all
that he had learned and conjectured, the connection between
teacher and student has been vital to the success of both. It
would be difficult to find an accomplished adult who would not
admit to having been greatly influenced by a teacher, and many
teachers will tell you they learn as much from their students as
they teach to them.
But as Bob Dylan said, the times they are a changin’.
Increasing technology in the classroom has become the latest
revolution in education. Still, while embracing the new
millennium and all that it can offer is necessary, the role of
computers in students’ lives must be carefully considered. There
are benefits and drawbacks, and both must be acknowledged
and weighed before the sweeping change is enacted.
At CPHS, a move toward more computers in the classroom
is already evident. Online courses being offered next year will
allow motivated students to take eight courses instead of seven
or free up their school day schedules by taking another class
online. It can also help those students who would benefit from
learning at their own pace with credit-recovery courses.
All this is fine enough (though the most AP-oriented
students may take more than they can realistically handle so
they do not “fall behind” other highly motivated peers, but
that’s an issue for another time). What’s truly disconcerting is the
move towards completely computer-based classrooms. Talk has
been raised here and elsewhere around the country of turning
some school-time classes into entirely computer-based work
with a teacher acting largely as moderator and helping students
only when they do not understand the lesson the computer is
teaching them. For these classes, students would essentially
walk into a computer lab, sit down, and spend the 47 minute
period learning quietly at their own pace from the screen. The
bell would ring, they get up, and move on to their next class.
There are variations on this system, but the issues raised
are the same. What has happened to human interaction? Can
we expect to raise mature, functioning students if the ancient
relationship between teacher and student has been reduced to
a mere cursory Q&A session when the computer fails to teach
in a way the student understands? Is our educational system
so broken that we must replace teachers with computers in
schools as thoughtlessly as robots replaced workers in factories
a hundred years ago?
The traditional educational system will have to confront
technology, to be sure. Yet the move toward modernizing every
aspect of society and bringing computers front and center in the
classroom should be treated with care and consideration.
A student is not a product to be molded by machines as
efficiently as possible. The best and most valuable teachers
remember that, and we would be wise to do so as well.
When most of us start a
new job, it takes a while to
get our bearings. It may
be more than a month
before we really start to do
well and accomplish the
job we were hired for in
the first place.
With that in mind,
President Barack Obama’s
accomplishments over the
past 38 days are even more impressive in
comparison. Obama has made his first foreign trip (albeit to Canada), set a deadline
for the closing of Guantanimo Bay prison
in Cuba, helped create a detailed plan to
pull U.S. troops out of Iraq by 2010 and
put his support behind and watched the
passage of an economic stimulus plan that
will hopefully see the creation of 3 million
much-needed jobs.
Even the naysayers, who last November doubted that the junior senator had
what it takes to be president, cannot now
doubt his competency. While it is still
early, that Obama leapt quickly and seemingly easily into the post of Commanderin-Chief is comforting to Americans who
have not seen a self-assured leader in the
Oval Office in nearly a decade.
For those of us who did vote for him
last November, it is pleasantly surprising
to see a politician who has (thus far, at
least) kept many of his promises. While
critics complain that the plan to pull
troops out of Iraq by 2010 is behind the
schedule Obama claimed during his candidacy, in reality the timetable is only about
three months behind the sixteen months
he promised earlier. And in an already sixyear war, a few months in either direction
is still impressive.
In just over a month, the 44th President of the United States has already made
sweeping changes. While the next four
years will truly decide if Obama is a great
president, if the first 38 days are any indication America may finally have the kind
of leader she needs.
heard in the
halls
Under 21 Clubs
“[Under 21 dance clubs] are a lot of fun.
You get to do whatever you want and
just hang out with friends and dance. It’s
pretty much like one big party.”
sophomore Taylor Barron
On-line classes
“I think on-line classes would take away
from hands-on learning and lack the
personal contact.”
seniorJacob Ealy
Smart Snacks
“I try to eat healthy snacks, such as carrots
and grapes so you can have a healthy immune system and live longer.”
senior Hannah Delaughter
Opinion
February 27, 2009
5
Reality shows
can inspire
By Nikki Sekuloski /
reporter
Q
speak up
Would you
rather take an
on-line course
or a traditional
teacher led class?
I
ssue:
Students are
promised a
chance at a
new car by
earning tickets
for various
achievements
to put in a raffle
at the end of
the year, but
opinions differ
as to whether
this is good
motivation or
an unrealistic
incentive.
freshman
For students in high school, the concept of “self
motivation” doesn’t always apply, but having a
tool that urges students to suceed, especially one
as extravagent as a brand new car, is vital towards
pushing students to reach their full potential. Our
student body needs to push itself in order to grow
as a school and as the hub of our community, and
though while that concept may seem unrealistic,
any motivational tools like the car is ideal.
Motivating students to win the car reaches
out to a huge variety of teens as the task of acquiring tickets can be done in many different aspects
throughout school. Students can be eligible by their
academics, sports, clubs and perfect attendance;
because of this large span of activities, the car
is a great motivational tool for a vast number of
students.
In addition to that wide variety, the tickets are
also obtainable by reasonable standards. Because
the probability of winning the car is low, students
could become pessimistic in trying to push themselves to win. The tickets, though, used in the massive raffle to win the car, are broken down to where
students can to stay focused on striving for a goal
within reach.
Basically, telling students to work hard because
it “will help your future” can be difficult as the idea
could be perceived as too fuzzy or far off for a lot of
students to grasp and put into consideration. The
car, though, provides students with a tangible goal
to be motivated towards acheiving.
As of now, grades are supposed to be what
pushes students to do well, but a car could be more
realistic based on the fact that in the real world,
good work is, in turn, rewarded with money. In
general, any extra motivators that a high school can
create for students is wonderful, especially if it is
something like the car that students are going to
actually want.
By Lauren Cain / copy editor
Isaac Dutton
“I’d rather have a
teacher because
you can learn more
and see things
more broadly.”
On the first day of school, students were
informed that they had a chance to win a car for
doing well in different facets related to school. The
excitement of this prize forced us to overlook its
true benefits, which are slim to none.
High school is the time when students learn
their most important lessons in life, one of which
should be the importance of self motivation. It’s a
crucial life skill, and to lead students to believe that
they have to have a big prize waiting for them to
succeed is simply deceiving them. Motivation needs
to come from oneself.
Optimism is a trait that many students lack,
which contributes to the weakness of this prize.
They only see the car as the big picture, which
seems unattainable. Not everyone sees the smaller
steps to getting the car, which just leads some
students to give up. The pessimism may come from
the fact that students are not involved in the ticket
process. Students aren’t told when they are in the
process of earning a ticket, so they aren’t as inclined
to keep up the good work.
In a different aspect, the earning of tickets
isn’t fairly balanced which is a misleading way to
motivate students. While one student may stay up
studying for three hours a night to earn his or her
straight A’s as well as a ticket, another student may
make a chance free throw at halftime of a basketball
game and get a ticket worth the same value. If a
prize intended for the drive of students to succeed
is going to be used, it should at least be a fair one.
In the end, only one person is going to be a
winner. Whether that is someone who has earned
all 6 tickets or someone who made that one free
throw is a game of chance. Those who need this
car as motivation to succeed should realize that
winning it is akin to playing the lottery: no matter
how many tickets you have, it’s highly unlikely to
gain the grand prize.
junior
By Cori Novelli / executive editor
Car contest is unrealistic
sophomore
A ticket to ride motivates
Anna Ortiz
senior
What Drives You?
cartoon by
Extreme
drama, ridiculous
challenges, and
outrageous prizes
would be an
almost perfect way
to describe today’s
reality TV. The often
heard “I can’t believe
he didn’t give me a
rose,” or the absurd “You want
me to do what while riding
that miniature bike?!” are just
some of the many quotes heard
on shows like The Bachelor and
Fear Factor.
Some people may begin
to say “what’s the point of
this show?” However, a lot
of these shows were not only
created for entertainment, but
also to give people a chance
to make their dreams a reality.
American Idol gives people the
chance to showcase their voices
to others, like So You Think You
Can Dance does something
similar for dancers.
In the same way, they are
able to learn how to improve
themselves by participating
in these shows. They are told
what they are doing wrong and
how to correct it. It helps teach
the performers how to step out
of their comfort zones and do
what they love. It helps them
face rejection and learn how to
rise above it. Quite a few of the
contestants that do not win the
top spot still end up making it
into the industry.
Shows similar to So You
Think You Can Dance help to
influence others to pursue their
dreams. In fact, season two
winner Benji Schwimmer’s
success on the show influenced
his sister Lacey to try out for
the show as well. Although
she did not win the show, the
show helped her become a
professional dancer on Dancing
with the Stars. Likewise,
American Idol season seven
winner David Cook look at
Chris Daughtry’s auditions for
inspiration.
These shows get people
involved in who they want
to see on TV, in concerts, and
in magazines. By having the
people vote for their favorite
person, we are able to have a
say on some aspects of “show
business.”
In the end, the next reality
competition aired may not be
just a show. It may produce the
next star or influence people to
try out and make it big.
Allanna Tillery
Chris Gruenhagen
Matt Kukurugya
“Teacher courses,
so you can ask
questions and
have someone to
help you.”
“Online courses
would be easier to
do, and you don’t
need to worry
about homework.”
“Online classes,
because I can go at
my own pace.”
life
Live
e e ti n g
on
Custodian Loraine
Love encourages
students to get to
class on time by
telling them “don’t
be late or you’ve got
a date” in detention.
Love also celebrates
Fridays by greeting
students with “TGIF”
during passing
periods.
Laughing it up
G
I
Junior Harry Davis
decorates math teacher
Rachel Hammond’s
classroom door in red to
join the city in promoting
women’s heart disease
awareness.
Ask
Laugh
Explore
Wonder
Inspire
February 27, 2009
r
Decorating
6
by the
numbers
CPHS comedians range from stand-up to improv
1959
year that Second City
Chicago, an improvisation and comedy
school, was formed
2
Number of
shows in which the
Stray Dogs, the Crown
Point High School
Improv group, has
performed.
23
Second
City alumni
have
appeared on
Saturday Night Live.
3
Photo by Alex Parrish
Seniors Ethan Breitweiser, Trevor St. Aubin, Alex Van Gorp and juniors Cally Kline and Anthony Rettig, members of CPHS’s improv troupe The Stray Dogs, put on a performance during the talent show. The Stray Dogs are one example of the high school’s
many comedians.
By Matt Smith / staff reporter
“Help us to lift the audience’s
spirits, lift the burdens that life has
put on them. Help us to ascend to
greater heights through the joy of
laughter. And please, don’t let us
screw up.”
This is the comedian’s prayer, according to
history teacher and sponsor of The Stray Dogs,
CPHS’s improv group, Don Bernacky.
Bernacky studied at Second City, a school
for comedy in Chicago. This school is where
many of today’s famous comedians had their
beginnings. Dan Akroyd, Bill Murray, Mike
Myers and Steve Carrell were all graduates of
Second City who went on to be stars in the entertainment business.
“Second City is really the epicenter of
American comedy,” Bernacky said. “It’s where
the best of the best go to study, and I wanted to
be a part of that.”
However, comedy was a part of Bernacky’s life long before he decided to go to
Second City.
“I had been doing stand-up on and off for
about ten years in Chicago,” he said. “Then
I decided I wanted to go to Second City, not
because I wanted to learn how to be funny,
but because I wanted to learn more about the
creative process involved with comedy,” Ber-
nacky said
Every day, Bernacky uses the comedic and
improvisational skills which he learned at Second City. He uses them, not as a professional
comedian, but as a teacher.
“The process requires you to study and
analyze characters, plot, theme, and setting
in a matter of seconds,” Bernacky said. “Let’s
say a student comes and asks me a question
about something that he doesn’t understand.
As a history teacher, I can use the skills that
I learned to interpret that question faster and
find an answer or to set a scene which will
bring that particular person or event to life.”
“I use my comedy to teach in a fun, lighthearted manner,” Bernacky said. “Many
times, because of my comedy, students don’t
even realize how hard they’re working or how
much they’re learning.”
Bernacky is not keeping his love of comedy to himself, however. He leads the Stray
Dogs Improv Group, made up of 15 Crown
Point students who learn the same skills that
Bernacky learned through Second City and
applies them to improvisation. Junior Anthony Rettig is one of these students.
“I don’t really plan on pursuing comedy
past college, but the direction I’ve received
from Mr. Bernacky and the things I’ve learned
about comedy have really affected my everyday life,” Rettig said. “Whether in a work,
school, or social setting, comedy can serve as
a great tool to break the ice or to have a little
fun.”
According to Rettig, the group has had
two successful shows already and is planning
a show for the end of the year, which he expects to be even better.
“Simply stated, we’re the best there is,”
Rettig said.
While many in the improv group are doing comedy as a simple pastime, some other
students are serious about breaking into the
world of entertainment. Senior Reece Merritt, who recently participated and won “Most
Original” in the first annual Crown Point High
School Talent Show, has big plans for his comedy.
“I would absolutely love doing this as a
career,” Merritt said. “It’s my passion and I just
enjoy doing it. I will definitely pursue comedy
for the rest of my life.”
Whether they are casual improvisers or
aspiring professionals, comedians are everywhere. However different they are, their ultimate goal is the same: to make people happy
and to make people laugh.
“The most important thing you have to
remember,” Bernacky said, “is that in comedy,
everybody fails. There comes a point in every
comedian’s career when he has to make a decision: Do I have the guts to go back up there,
to put myself on the spot, and to try all over
again?”
Bernacky, who has had years of experience
in the comedy world, has learned this lesson.
Regardless, after all this time, he is still doing
what he loves.
number of locations
which now have
Second City schools:
Chicago, Toronto, and
Los Angeles
1975
year that
Saturday
Night
Live aired its first
episode.
15
number of members of CPHS’s
improv group,
the Stray Dogs.
According to The Second City
website
Feature
February 27, 2009
7
Break fast
When you’re on the
go, breakfast often
gets skipped. Here
are some quick ideas
for a delicious and
healthy breakfast.
By Michele Bates / news editor
You wake up late and only have a limited amount of
time to get ready for school. Rushing to make it to class on
time, you forget to eat breakfast once again. Though it is
the most important meal of the day, some adults and teenagers continue to skip breakfast on a regular basis. To fix
that problem, here are some quick and yummy breakfast
ideas for people on the go.
1
Photo Illustration by Geprgia otte
4
Kraft Bagel-fuls
Kraft is now offering a bagel with cream cheese already filled in the bread. The “bread stick” bagels come
in a variety of flavors with different cream cheese fillings
that include the original (with regular, chive, or strawberry
cream cheese), a cinnamon and brown sugar bagel (with
cinnamon cream cheese), and a whole grain bagel (regular
cream cheese). The bagels can be warmed up in either the
microwave toaster, or simply eaten cold.
2
Pillsbury Toaster Scrambles
The Pilsbury Toaster Scrambles are similar to the Toaster Struddel, yet they include hearty fillings such as cheese,
scrambled eggs, and bacon.
3
Jimmy Dean’s Pancake & Sausage on a
Stick
This new Jimmy Dean’s product resembles a corn dog;
however, it includes a pancake wrapped around sausage.
They come in two different flavors: regular or blueberry
pancake.
Dannon Light & Fit 0% Plus Smoothie
This smoothie comes in flavors like peach, strawberry, mixed berry and pomegranate, and peach. The
drink contains no added fat (hence the 0%) and is only
60 calories. Dannon Light & Fit yogurts are also available.
5
Kellogg’s Eggo Nutri Grain Waffles
Kellogg’s is now offering Nutri Grain (whole grain)
waffles with with strawberry or blueberry filling, each
made with real fruit. Not looking for a fruity inside?
The waffles also come with no fillings, as well.
6
Jimmy Dean’s Omelets
Omelets usually take awhile to make; however,
Jimmy Dean’s omelets can be ready to eat in under
two minutes. Each omelet can be prepared by using
the microwave that come in flavors such as ham and
cheese .
7
Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Cereal Bars
Made with real fruit and whole oats, these cereal
bars are a tasty complete breakfast that’s healthy to
boot. Flavors are varied and include apple cinnamon,
blueberry, cherry, raspberry, blackberry, and vanilla yogurt.
8
Aunt Jemima Griddlecake
Aunt Jemima Griddlecakes resemble a McDonald’s
McGriddle, but these griddle cakes are much a healthier
option. Choose from one of two sandwiches: two pancakes with eiter ham, egg, and cheese or sausage, egg, and
cheese.
9
Quaker Oatmeal to Go
Oatmeal fans can enjoy oatmeal without even using
a stove. The Quaker Oatmeal to Go is a granola bar-like
food that comes in flavors such as Raspberry Streusel, Oatmeal Raisin, Banana Bread and Brown Sugar Cinnamon.
Each bar is equivalent to the amount of a regular bowl of
oatmeal, but it can be eated cold or warmed up in the microwave.
10
South Beach Diet Breakfast Wraps
South Beach Breakfast Wraps are low in calories and
quick and easy to make. Ranging in a variety of different
wraps, these meals include The Southwestern Style wrap,
the All American, Denver Style, and the Vegetable Medley. Despite the quick two-minute preparation time in the
microwave, these wraps are packed with many different
foods; for example, the Southwestern includes scrambeled
egg whites, chorizo seasoned chicken sausage, chipolte tomato sauce, and green and red peppers.
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Feature
February 27, 2009
Cell phones for teenagers:
Necessity or Status Symbol?
Two pounds. That’s how much the
first cellular phone weighed. According
to MSNBC, “the brick” cell phone was created in 1984 and was priced at a hefty $3,
995. It only offered a half-hour of talk time
between charging sessions, yet customers
were lining up to buy one for themselves.
Why? No one else had one. When people
saw the new gadget, naturally, they would
become jealous and want to outdo one another.
In those days, cell phones were used
to make calls. But realistically, how many
teenagers today own a phone purely to call
someone? WIth all the fun applications
available, phones are no longer used just to
talk, they are used as ways to quickly chat
with friends, play games, and listen to music: the ultimate boredom buster. Suddenly,
a plain phone isn’t good enough anymore.
The invention of this technology bore a
new status symbol, something to upgrade
and brag about.
Just like fancy cars, designer clothes,
and expensive jewelry, cell phones have
created a competition between friends over
who has the newest, best, or smallest phone
while holding the most features. No longer
Match the
person
to his
CELL
PHONE
does a cell phone only make calls, like be- phones popped up in every cellular store
fore. Now these devices need to take high- from the Samsung Behold to the Blackquality pictures, be able to hold music and berry Storm. Some are even nicknamed
“iPhonies,” playing off the fact that all
games, and even access the web.
“I use my cell phone to play games like the phones have the same features but are
Brick Breaker and Sudoku to challenge my- “phony” iPhones.
Google is even jumpself on my Blackberry,”
ing on the cell phone
junior Jon Venegas said.
crazed bandwagon. PartStyles of cell phones
nered with T-Mobile, the
have improved as much
G1 is the first smartphone
as the options and apteenagers today own to run with Google’s new
plications on them. The
open-source
operating
simple flip-style phone
a cellular phone,
system called Android. It
is going out of style
which is a 40%
is host to a combination of
fast, with the invention
the most popular features
of slide-out phones and
increase since 2004.
today: a full slide-out keyfull keyboards, like on
Only 17% of teens
board, touch screen, interthe LG Env2, for the avid
net and music capabilities,
texters. Junior Amanda
use their phones for
and a 3.2 megapixel camSavell has a Sprint phone
talking exclusively.
era.
with a full slide-out keyEven with the popuboard and likes that fealarity of iPods, music-holdture on her phone.
ing phones are more desir“The full keyboard
makes it easier for me to write in full sen- able than ever. “Come with Music” is a
tences, because I don’t like it when people new program Nokia is piloting that boasts
use texting slang,” Savell said.
unlimited access to millions of tracks for
Touch screen phones seem to be the download. Of course, there is a subscripcurrent hottest gadget for technology-hun- tion fee, just like Verizon Wireless’s VCAST
gry teenagers. Ever since Apple’s brain- program, which is available in different
child the iPhone came about, touch screen packages. Unlimited access costs $14.99
per month.
VCAST is one of the most prominent
mobile services which offers an array of options, including television capabilities. It
offers subscribers the ability to watch programming from major networks like NBC,
ESPN, Comedy Central, and MTV. With
the use of live, streaming videos or music
on cell phones, entertainment is available
24/7 at the touch of your fingertips. Those
capabilities make these phones even more
enticing.
Status isn’t the only thing derived from
one’s cell phone. What teenager is satisfied
with the plain old black or grey casing for
their phone with all the accessories that exist today? Skins and cases in patterns and
neon colors are available in stores and on
the web. They not only protect your phone,
but add personality and flair.
Similarly, downloadable ring tones display one’s identity. Whether it’s an obscure
song or number one on the charts, services
like VCAST can find it.
With the massive amounts of applications and programs on trendy cell phones
today, it’s a wonder what the phones of the
near future could hold. If the constant upgrading and competing over cell phones
continues, the phones of the future are sure
to bring all kinds of new capabilities.
1
3
17 million
a.
Kyle
Land
2
b.
Dr.
Ban
Mr.
Elston
c.
ANSWERS: 1.c 2.a 3.b
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managing editor
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Insurance, Inc.
Mark A. Bates, CIC, AAI
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www.fbbinsurance.com
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Offer expires 03/31/09
February 27, 2009
Arts & Entertainment
Dating Through the Decades
9
From drive-in movies to online dating, the passing of time has
changed the way people view romance.
By Becca Duggan / arts & entertainment editor
From pins to flowers, sock hops to dance clubs, recited
poetry to mixed CDs, the art of romance has developed
significantly over the years. Dating for students in modern
times is different than it was for their parents when they
were young. The transition from generation to generation
can be seen in varied ways, such as the different dating
traditions or diverse romantic locations.
Some students feel that the perfect date consists of two
aspects- dinner and a movie.
“A classic date is where you go out to eat and then see
a romantic movie,” junior Thomas Vanderplough said. “If
you ever run out of ideas for a date, that’s the one you can
always go back to.”
English teacher Denise Buck remembered that the classic date happened differently in her high school years.
“The boy had to come into the house to pick up the
girl,” Buck said. “They would go bowling, watch movies,
or attend school dances.”
As for the places to take a possible date, each generation has its own opinion of the opportune spot.
“I think a good date place is a mini-golf course because
you get to be outside and get to know the person while
you play,” junior Cody Brite said. “I think it’s better than a
movie theater because you actually get to talk.”
For French teacher Linda Atwood, there were a variety
of prime locations at which to spend dates when she went
to high school.
“We would go to drive-in movies, school dances, and
pizza places,” Atwood said. “I lived in a small town; everyone knew everyone else so we all just hung out at the
local hot spots.”
When it comes to romantic presents, Vanderplough
feels that the fancier gifts often get more enthusiastic reactions.
“Girls remember the guys who get them diamond
necklaces or concert tickets. If the gift isn’t memorable,
then chances are the relationship isn’t either,” Vanderplough said.
According to an interview that Discovery Health
Online had with Elizabeth Lindsey, a specialist in interpersonal communication, dating has become more casual
and less ritualized. However, dating still has its constantswhen going on a date, wear appropriate clothing, do not
talk about yourself excessively, and do not talk about past
romantic relationships.
“You have to be a good listener on a date,” Brite said.
“The guy has to be a gentleman too.”
Some people feel that chivalry has long since died out.
However, Atwood feels that no matter what the year may
be, politeness depends on upbringing and the individual.
“I think that men will behave as they’re taught. Not all
my school friends had boy friends that opened doors, talked to their parents and insisted on paying for meals: Some
of them liked chivalry and some didn’t,” said Atwood.
Buck feels that the expectation of the relationship will
influence how the boy and girl interact.
“Young men may have been more chivalrous if they
knew that the girl’s father would expect them to be,” Buck
said.
Atwood also remembered her feelings about public
displays of affection when she had dated a boy.
“I never allowed my boyfriend to kiss me in public,
and even holding hands in front of my parents would be
embarrassing,” Atwood said.
With the passing of decades, social customs alter, but
the goal of dating remains the same- to find a potential relationship partner.
“Sometimes it takes a long time to find the right person,” Vanderplough said. “Sometimes you have to go out
with a lot of losers to find a winner.”
Comparing costs of finding that special someone
1960
Gasoline...............................$0.50
Penny Arcade......................$0.10
Telescope..............................$0.10
Drive-In................................$1.50
Movie....................................$1.00
Milkshake.............................$0.35
Flower...................................$0.50
Popcorn................................$0.15
Total $4.50
1920
Movie............................................. $0.10
Gasoline..........................................$0.18
Popcorn...........................................$0.02
Dance Hall Tickets.... ....................$0.25
Good Humor Ice Cream Bar ...... $0.07
Coca Cola .......................................$0.05
Flowers............................................$0.07
Jazz Band Tickets ..........................$0.35
Total $1.06
2000
Gasoline........................$2.00
Movie............................$14.40
Popcorn.........................$4.50
Flowers..........................$10.99
Dinner............................$25.00
Ice Cream......................$5.00
Bowling.........................$15.00
Dance Club...................$30.00
Total $106.89
Arts & Entertainment
10
And the winner is...
Grammys, Oscars recognize the best in entertainment
Both the Grammy and Academy Awards are timehonored traditions in the entertainment business. Yet low
television ratings in the past few years have inspired the
organizers of both shows to make them bigger and more
exciting than ever before.
This year the Grammy Awards were full of surprises.
Controversy struck between Rihanna and Chris Brown.
Both Rihanna and Brown pulled out of their performances last minute, forcing Justin Timberlake and Al Green to
fill their spot.
The Academy Awards were exciting as well. Host
Hugh Jackman sang and danced, pulling celebrities like
Anne Hathaway up on stage with him.
Best Pop Performance, Female:
Best Pop Performance, Male:
Nominations: Adele, “Chasing Pavements”; Sara Bareilles,
“Love Song”; Duffy, “Mercy”; Leona Lewis, “Bleeding Love”;
Katy Perry, “I Kissed A Girl”; Pink, “So What”
Nominations: Kid Rock, “All Summer Long”; John Mayer,
“Say”; Paul McCartney, “That Was Me”; Jason Mraz, “I’m
Yours”; Ne-Yo, “Closer”; James Taylor, “Wichita Lineman”
Winner: Duffy, “Mercy”
Winner: John Mayer, “Say”
My Thoughts: Duffy’s song “Mercy” became an instant hit last summer, but we haven’t heard much
since. Hopefully her Grammy win will inspire
her record company to release a new single.
My Thoughts: John Mayer is a tough artist to beat. Though
there are many great songs in this category, Mayer has already
won 5 Grammy awards. With all his success, it came to no
surprise that he won this award.
By Michele Bates / news editor
Album of the Year:
Best New Artist:
Nominations: Alison Krauss & Robert Plant, Raising
Sand; Coldplay, Viva La Vida; Ne-Yo, Year Of The Gentleman; Lil Wayne, The Carter III; Radiohead, In Rainbows
Nominations: Adele, Lady Antebellum, Jonas
Brothers, Duffy, Jazmine Sullivan
Winner: Adele
My Thoughts: I was surprised. I thought either Lady Antebellum or the Jonas Brothers
were going to take the award. Lady Antebellum’s self-titled debut reached gold
status (selling over 500,000 copies), and
the Jonas Brothers have also had massive
success in the past few years. Both their
self-titled album and A Little Bit Longer have reached platinum
status. Though they did not win this award, I definitely see
them getting nominated again next year.
Winner: Alison Krauss & Robert Plant, Raising Sand
My Thoughts: This list of nominations had some
very well known artists. However, seeing Alison
Krauss & Robert Plant take home the award was
disappointing. Many of these artists have had
chart-topping success in the past year. For example, Lil Wayne’s record The Carter III sold over
1,000,000 copies in its first week. Even though Lil Wayne was
nominated for eight Grammys, it was surprising to see Lil
Wayne not take this award home with him.
Grammys
The Oscar goes to...
In case you missed last Sunday’s
81st annual Academy Awards, here’s
a quick recap on the winners of all
the major awards.
Best Director
Danny Boyle, for Slumdog Millionaire
Best Picture
Slumdog Millionaire
Best Actor
Best Original Screenplay
Sean Penn, for Milk
Dustin Lance Black, for Milk
Best Actress
Kate Winslet, for The Reader
Best Adapted Screenplay
Simon Beaufoy, for Slumdog Millionaire
February 27, 2009
Kodak Theatre as
beautiful
in real life
By Michele Bates /
editor
as itnews
is on
television
By Michele Bates / news editor
Ever since its opening in November 2001, the Kodak Theatre has held
a variety of well-known events. The
theater is most famous for housing the
annual Academy Awards. However,
it is also the previous venue for the
American Idol finale. While in Hollywood two years ago, I knew I had to
visit the famous Kodak Theatre.
As I made my way into the Kodak
Theatre, I was in awe of how beautiful
the theatre actually was. Pictures of
Julia Roberts and Halle Barry hung on
the walls as they accepted their Academy Award. The Grand Staircase entrance even had photographs of the
“Best Picture” winners from 1928 all
the way up to the current winners.
Our tour guide led us into the
George Eastman Room. When I
walked into the room, my attention
immediately drifted to the small gold
statue in the room. Lights beamed on
a glass case that held an actual Oscar
statue. The Oscar was as detailed as
I thought it would be. After watching
the Academy Awards for many years,
I could finally understand why actors
get so emotional recieving this award.
The statue not only is beautiful, but it
is such a wonderful achievement in
an actor’s career. The Oscar displayed
was one of the eight Academy Awards
awarded to the Eastmen Kodak Company throughout the years.
After visiting the George Eastman Room, our group finally got to
visit the theater. The Kodak Theatre
seats approximately 3,400 people, but
it looks smaller than it does on television. We sat into the seats of the
theatre as our tour guide described
what it was like during the annual
Academy Awards. She told us about
the actors she had met throughout her
career at the Kodak Theatre. Our tour
guide said that when Ellen DeGeneres
hosted in 2007, she kept the audience
entertained even during commerical
breaks. DeGeneres brought her DJ
from her talk show for everyone to
dance to during breaks.
If you ever get a chance to visit
the Kodak Theatre, I strongly reccommend it. Not only did I enjoy it, but it
was overall a great experience for me.
Under-21 dance clubs offer unique weekend fun
By Megan Binder / editor-in-chief
After a long week of classes and tests,
when Friday night finally rolls around it’s
usually hard-earned. But as you and your
friends sit around wondering what to
do, it is often too easy to fall back on the
old stand-bys: movie, dinner, or hanging
around at someone’s house.
All that is well and good, but how
about something a little different? There
are several under 21 dance clubs in the area
that offer a long night of dancing and fun
for a reasonable price.
The nearest club is Voltage Dance Club
at 1500 E 83rd in Merrillville. Less than 20
minutes from the high school, the club is
open every Friday night from 8 p.m. to 1
a.m. for anyone between the ages of 16 and
20. Occasionally they are open on Saturday
or Sunday nights as well, but their other
weekend days change from week to week.
Often they do themes, like their “Cupid Affair: Red and White Night” they held for
Valentine’s Day.
Like most of the clubs in the area,
Voltage enforces a “dress to impress”
policy, requesting dancers to avoid sweat-
Just dance
PURE Dance Club
• Off U.S. Highway 6 in
Portage
• Open Saturday nights from
8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Voltage Dance Club
• 1500 E. 83rd St., Merrillville
• Open Friday nights from 8 p.m. to
1 a.m.
Zero Gravity
• Off U.S. Highway 6 in Portage
• Open Saturday nights from 8 p.m.
to 1 a.m.
pants, hats, and athletic jerseys. They have
several in-house DJs who mix an assortment of hip-hop and techno music. It gets
loud, but Voltage makes for a safe (there is
a security staff there every night they are
open) way to let loose and spend a night
out with friends while still being relatively
close to home.
If Friday night has you at the basketball game, there’s PURE dance club in
Portage off U.S. Highway 6. PURE is open
every Saturday night from 8:30 p.m. to 1
a.m. Like Voltage, PURE also has theme
nights, though they are more often and
varied, like a Mardi Gras Bash night. They
also have weekly contests and giveaways.
PURE features a concession area with soft
and energy drinks and a lounge area for
those who want to take a break from dancing.
For the more adventurous and those
willing to take a longer journey, there is
Zero Gravity in Naperville, IL, open every
Saturday and some Sunday nights until 4
a.m. It is really an all-night experience for
just $10-20, depending on the night and if
there are any celebrities there.
Yes, Zero Gravity tends to play host to
musical celebrities. By far the most elaborate of the under-21 clubs in the area, Zero
Gravity has featured several big-name musical acts on their indoor stage, like Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake, Pink, and
most recently Cascada. When there aren’t big name stars playing for the upwards of a 2000-person crowd
who frequent the club every weekend, two
separate live DJs in two different rooms
mix music for dancers. There is both a hiphop room and a techno room in the sprawling club in addition to an outdoors area to
get some air, as the club gets very hot and
loud. Zero Gravity features a bar with nonalcoholic drinks and plenty of seating for
those who want to take a break or mingle
with their friends and new acquaintances.
Like PURE and Voltage, Zero Gravity also has theme nights. For example,
tomorrow, Feb. 28, they are throwing a
Glow Blacklight Party. During most of the
evening there will be black lights, inspiring
dancers to wear white or neon clothing to
show up under the black lights. Other Zero
Gravity theme nights have included costume nights or a beach party.
February 27, 2009
Arts & Entertainment
11
Adding another dimension
On TV or in theaters, 3D entertainment comes to life, dazzles its audience
appeared in 1987, but it was primitive by
today’s standards and was used almost exclusively for games,” Topp said.
Using the multifaceted technology, 3D
glasses are used to see the shapes in their
three-dimensional form. The day after the
Superbowl, those same glasses could be
worn to watch NBC’s Chuck, a comedy featuring Zachary Levi as a computer geek
turned government secret agent.
“I wished I could’ve seen the show, but
I didn’t have any of the 3D glasses,” sophomore Tyler Tants said.
The onslaught of 3D movies has been
more apparent on the silver screen. Last
year, the Hannah Montana/ Miley Cyrus: Best
of Both Worlds Concert was aired nationwide
at select theaters in 3D, starting a trend to
follow. Journey to the Center of the Earth premiered last July, My Bloody Valentine was
Five Buck Club movies
One of the best ways to beat midwinter blues is to go see a new movie in
theaters. Shelling out $8 is less relaxing,
however. Instead, apply online at kerasotes.com for a Five Buck Club card. The
program is free and allows card holders to see select movies in their second
and third weeks at the theaters for just
$5. The movies are still quite recent (this
week’s Five Buck Club movies in Merrillville are Taken, He’s Just Not That Into You,
and Academy Award-winning Milk) and
generally are worth the five bucks.
See more 3D
Coraline
Friday night showtimes in 3D at
Merillville Showplace 12: 7:00, 9:20
Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert
Experience
Friday night showtimes in 3D at
Merillville Showplace 12: 8:15, 10:20
Monsters vs. Aliens
Opens in theaters March 27
As quickly as high-definition became the new thing to have, 3D television
sets could catch on just as fast, according
to a CBS report. However, some people
wouldn’t be that interested in being able to
a few of our
favorite
things
Ben and Jerry’s
Ben and Jerry’s ice cream has been
satisfying consumers all over the country since the two friends opened their
first ice cream shop in 1977. Now, in addition to their classic flavors like
Chocolate Fudge Brownie and
Half-Baked (chocolate and vanilla ice cream mixed with brownie
and chocolate chip cookie dough
pieces), the company has created
politically-themed flavors, like
Stephen Colbert’s Americone Dream
and even one after our new president’s
campaign motto: Yes, Pecan.
Where’s 3D?
Monsters vs. Aliens
Commercials
see a game in 3D.
“If you want to feel like you’re in the
game, go out and actually play it,” junior
Justin Kaplan said.
While 3D movies seem to be the trend,
three-dimensional concerts are also becoming more prominent on the silver screen.
On January 23 of last year, rock band U2
premiered one of their concerts in a threedimensional movie, U2 3D. Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert
Tour premiered in theaters on February 1
of last year. It showed songs performed in
different cities during her tour, as well as
behind-the-scenes clips such as Miley’s getting ready process and comptetions done
in different towns for tickets to her concert.
It also featured the esteemed Jonas Brothers which set the ball rolling on their concert movie. Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert
Experience is premiering on February 27,
with the same concept as the Hannah Montana concert: to tape one of their concerts
on tour in 3D to be watched in theaters nationwide for those who
couldn’t get tickets to the
quickly sold out shows.
“I’m a huge fan of
3D movies because
they allow you to be
absorbed in the movie that much more,“
junior Casey May
said. “Watching Hannah Montana in 3D
was astounding. You
felt like you were actually there at the concert,
really close up, and because of that, I’m definitely
looking forward to seeing the Jonas Brothers in 3D as well.”
Although this dimension seems relatively new, 3D has actually been around
for a while. The first movie made in 3D
was Power of Love in 1922. It was the first
occasion in which producers manipulated
scenes and colors to make the show more
real to viewers wearing the now famous
red and blue lens glasses. However, the
third-dimension has come a long way since
its original usage, according to Topp.
“The way people want to use 3D has
begun to spread from games to such activities as Web and product design, corporate
presentations, and even personal entertainment,” Topp said. “3D technology has
come a long way, increasing in performance
while decreasing in cost.”
The first widely-advertised
commercial in
3D aired during the 2009
Superbowl.
The animated
film (a spoof
on the traditional doomsday monster/alien
attack scenario) will also be in
3D when it comes out March 27,
but it was the historical nature
of the 30-second ad that made
headlines. DreamWorks parent
Pepsi Co. handed out free 3D
glasses before the game.
Chuck
TV shows
From TV commercials to NFL games,
the world is branching out from the accustomed two-dimensional experience. In an
effort to acquire more viewers as well as
more money, technology is evolving into
an entirely three-dimensional event.
On Superbowl Sunday, many people
tuned in to watch the biggest NFL game of
the year. However, at halftime there was a
different kind of history being made. For
the first time in front of an audience this
size, a 3-D commercial was being aired.
“The commercial was really cool.
My mom got a bunch of the glasses from
Strack’s and I watched it with my friends.
Everything seemed so real,” freshman Emily Balicki said.
Three-dimensional shapes are formed
by a complex mix of colors, textures, and
virtual lighting, according to Graphing Imaging teacher Karen Topp.
“The first 3D technology for PCs
released on January 16, Coraline premiered
on February 6 and upcoming movies include Monsters vs. Aliens,
“In five to seven years, all movies will
be made in 3-D,” Dreamworks Chief Executive Jeffrey Katzenberg said at the launch
of a 3-D festival in Singapore.
Not only is the third dimension being
reached through television and movies, but
sports as well. In November, the NFL taped
a game between the San Diego Chargers
and the Oakland Raiders, and premiered
the game in 3D on December 4. They
showed the game in theaters with representatives from consumer electronics viewing, as well as on television displays as a
sales pitch to show what could be possible
in people’s homes, according to
The Wall Street Journal.
NBC’s
combined
action-comedy
series
Chuck
debuted
last
year,
was
launched
into a different dimension
with the glasses handed out
before Superbowl. Viewers
could use them to see the episode playing the next day on
NBC.
Coraline
On the big screen
By Lauren Cain / copy editor
Directed
by Henry
Selick (of
The Nightmare Before
Christmas
fame), Coraline premiered on
Feb. 6. As Coraline is made by
manipulating real dolls for
individual frames, it gives
the viewer a more realistic
view of the taping process,
which is done in 3D.
Threadless.com
This t-shirt company with a Crown Point
connection (the company’s founder is a CPHS
alumni) utilizes the online networking format to bring together independent designers
and the means to create
unique t-shirts, hoodies
and even onesies for babies. People that join the
online community can
submit and rate possible
designs that range from the fun and funny (a
cowboy chased by an actual Indian, riding an
elephant) to more serious, artsy designs. They
have something for everyone at threadless.com
and at a reasonable price, too. While they do
most of their retail from their original online
catalogue, they also have one store in northern
Chicago, near Lincoln Park.
Information compiled by Inklings editors,
photos and logos used with permission
12
Arts & Entertainment
Classic vs. Modern Disney
February 27, 2009
vs.
In a battle between Wall-E and Snow White
and the Seven Dwarves, different people have
different opinions on which movie would win.
With the Disney film corporation’s new era
of high-quality animation at its peak, some
people feel that Disney has forgotten what
made their old movies timeless.
By Becca Duggan and Brittany
Curtis / entertainment and feature
editors
Though the famous character Mickey Mouse is still
the mascot for the Walt Disney Company today, much has
changed for the company since the mouse’s animated debut in 1928.
According to The Walt Disney Company’s official
website, the animation company was formed on Oct. 16,
1923. The first full-length animated film that Walt Disney
produced was Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs which has
grossed a cumulative amount of 178 million dollars, making it the seventh highest grossest Disney animated film
of all time, according to Digital Media FX. Since then, Disney has created many movies that have won Oscars and
grossed millions of dollars.
Some students have contributed to The Walt Disney
Company’s success.
“When I was younger, I watched Aladdin every day,”
junior Needa Malik said.
The definition of a Disney ‘classic’ is interpreted different ways among students. Freshman Ronda McFarland
feels that the classic Disney movies displayed positive
morals.
“The message of a Disney classic is always good,” McFarland said.
Malik said that not only was a good message a requirement for a Disney movie to be considered a ‘classic,’ but
the film also needed to meet other criteria.
“The movie needs to have great songs, music, and
characters. The characters need to be memorable and the
kind of people you can look up to,” Malik said.
Even though the highest grossing Disney animated
film is The Lion King, students have different favorite Disney movies.
“My favorite Disney movie is Beauty and the Beast
because of the love story,” freshman Samantha Wrecsics
said.
Despite the older Disney movies being so popular,
some favor the more modern Disney productions.
“I like the newer Disney films as opposed to the much
older ones because the quality of the animation has improved so much,” Malik said.
Some teachers also have their own favorites when it
comes to Disney movies.
“I would have to say that one of my favorite Disney
classics is Beauty and the Beast because it has to do with everything French,” French teacher Amy Logan said. “My
favorite modern Disney movie is Monsters, Inc. because it’s
so far-fetched from the normal fairy tale. Whoever created
the story has a great sense of creativity.”
However, Logan also feels like today’s Disney films
are too computerized and prefers the style of the classics.
“I grew up with the classics. I think a lot of the newer
films are computer-oriented and robotic.” Logan said.
New Disney movies have gained popularity like the
Pixar movies Cars and Finding Nemo, the highest grossing
Pixar movie of all time.
“I like the fact that the Pixar movies look a lot more realistic than the animated movies,” junior Katie Klein said.
Another new Disney movie is Enchanted, which combines animation with live-action film. Enchanted somewhat
takes a jab at the classic Disney idea that a princess constantly needs to find her prince, and must sing songs the
whole time, while still portraying the classic good Disney
message.
Disney is also expanding its range in movies with the
release of Aliens vs. Monsters, which will be a Pixar movie
that is in 3-D. The commercial aired during the Superbowl,
which was also in 3-D.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing the movie in 3-D,
because I remember that the commercial was such a big
deal during the Superbowl. I was watching it with a bunch
of people, and we all made sure that we had the 3-D glasses so we could watch it,” junior Alex Horst said.
However, some students are not fans of the new direction that Disney is taking with their movies.
“I miss the old types of Disney movies, like Cinderella
and Beauty and the Beast. I liked that there was always a really strong message that they were sending, and they were
always filled with songs.
“Now, a lot of their movies are just lacking in what
made Disney movies magical in the first place. I think that
the new movies are entertaining and definitely have something to offer, but I don’t think that anything can compare
with the Disney classics,” Klein said.
David Cook makes the grade in Valparaiso concert
By Nikki Sekuloski / staff reporter
1,275 screaming fans all for one idol.
That is all it took to create a great atmosphere which ultimately lead to a great
concert. American Idol winner David Cook
traveled to Valparaiso University on Feb. 21
as part of his “Declaration Tour 2009.”
The concert was a creative sample of
the type of music that David sings. He
sang songs from his self-titled album that
showed not only the rocky side of his voice,
but also the softer side. The fans were also
able to enjoy music from Ryan Star who
opened the show. Both singers really
seemed to shine and they both seemed to
really enjoy performing.
To add to the musical talent, Cook himself helped to create the friendly mood. He
tried to connect with the audience either by
answering the questions on their posters
(like “Do you like pizza?”) or waving to a
fan during one of his songs. He rewarded
the audience by saying that out of all the
places he has toured so far, “the fans at the
Valparaiso concert had the best signs by
far.” He also threw his guitar picks out to
the audience once in a while.
Having his family, like his parents and
grandparents, and friends there made it a
very personal concert for him as well, as
he mentioned to his fans. Every so often,
he would wave to friends or wink at his
grandma. This personal feeling that the
whole concert seemed to be centered on
made the whole show that much more enjoyable.
To go along with his connection with
the fans, he also introduced his band and
made jokes about them. This helped the
audience feel connected to the band, too.
He really seemed to what the crowd to be
pumped and feel comfortable screaming as
loud as they could, which he encouraged.
In the end, I would definitely give David Cook an A+, not just for his musical
performance, but also for giving the concert
just an enjoyable mood altogether. David
definetely shone at this concert, but it was
not just because of all the colored lights.
Photo by Nikki Sekuloski
David Cook performs with his band at Valparaiso University on Feb. 21. Valparaiso was one of his stops for his “Declaration 2009” college tour.
February 27, 2009
Sports
13
Wrestling advances to state meet
Bulldogs bring home first three state championships since 1975 and compete for the team state title this weekend
Photo By Trey Aultman
Junior Anthony Hawkins wrestles an opponent in the 112 pound semi-state at Merrillville High School. Hawkins became Crown Point’s first of three state champs.
By Trey Aultman /
sports editor
For over 30 years, the Crown Point wrestling program has been without a state champion. The drought
ended this past weekend at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN, when the Bulldogs claimed three individual
state champions.
In the 112 pound weight class, junior Anthony Hawkins (42-0) kept his undefeated record throughout the state
tournament to claim Crown Point’s first state championship since 1975.
The next state champion came out of the 125 pound
weight class. Freshman Jason Tsirtsis (40-2) defeated an
undefeated wrestler in his route to the state title.
“It feels amazing going in as a freshman and winning,” Tsirtsis said.
The final Bulldog state title came from senior Marcus
Shrewsbury (42-0) in the 189 pound weight class.
“I have been working hard for individual state ever
since I started wrestling, but team state is equally important,” Shrewsbury said.
The three state titles were accompanied by a seventh
place finish from freshman, 103 pound wrestler, Cameron
Halsted (33-10), a fourth place finish from sophomore,
135 pound wrestler, Eric Roach (40-2), and a third place
finish by senior wrestler, Mark Myers (41-1). Myers lost
to the eventual state champion in the 160 pound weight
class.
“I could have done a little better, but for the circumstances and how good the kid was, I did well,” Myers
said.
Also wrestling in the state meet was senior Jimmy
Bakalik (24-15) in the 215 pound weight class.
Prior to the state meet, the Bulldogs claimed their
third straight Duneland Athletic Conference title, and
seventh consecutive sectional title. Also, the ‘Dogs sent a
representative from all 14 weight classes to the semi-state
round at Merrillville High School where five of the seven
Bulldogs advancing to state claimed first place.
“In the 30 years that I’ve been coaching, this is the
best team. We had a good team in 1987, but this team is
better,” head coach Scott Vlink said.
While finishing up the individual part of the season,
the team also advanced through the post-season to the
team state championships at Center Grove High School
in Greenwood, IN. There, the Bulldogs, ranked number
two in the state, will wrestle against seventh ranked Roncalli Feb. 28 at 9 a.m.
“I am looking forward to the atmosphere,” Tsirtsis
said, “It should be a lot of fun and less stressful than individual.”
If the Bulldogs (18-1) are victorious over Roncalli
(18-6), they will face off against the Indiana High School
Wrestling Coaches Association’s (IHSWCA) number one
ranked team, Mishawaka in the semifinal, also on Feb. 28.
The Bulldogs are behind Mishawaka by only 19 votes in
the poll.
“If we can get past Mishawaka, we have a good
chance,” Tsirtsis said.
The team has high expectations heading into the
team state meet.
“I am looking for three wins and a state championship,” Myers said.
Along with the high expectations, the team knows
that the state tournament is a tough competition.
“The eight best teams in the state will be there,” Vlink
said, “All I expect is to wrestle as well as we can and let
the chips fall where they may.”
14
Sports
February 27, 2009
Dance team takes second at Nationals Girls Basketball
ends season in
sectional opener
By Hunter McKee / asst. sports editor
Photo Courtesy of Lynn Harnois
The Crown Point Dance team poses with their trophies in Orlando, FL, after their performances in the UDA
National Dance Team Championships. The girls finished second in pom and fourth in the nation in high kick.
By Vinnie Needham / reporter
The varsity dance team returned
from the Universal Dance Association’s National Dance Team Championship in Orlando, FL carrying a second place finish in the pom division
and a fourth place finish in the high
kick division.
The girls have placed second in
pom and fourth in high kick for two
consecutive seasons.
There are many tasks that the
team must accomplish before qualifying for nationals.
“Each summer we go to the
UDA camp, and have to receive a
placement of a home routine or receive a superior trophy. We received
both this year,” senior Hayley Plummer said.
Also, the girls compete at Floyd
Central High School in Floyds Knobs,
IN.
“Every year we travel to Floyd
Central High School to perform in
their UDA competition where we
placed second in pom and first in
kick,” sophomore Jessica Spangenberg said.
Coach Rachel Bickle feels that
the team’s success can be attributed
to their strong bond.
“They have to work to achieve
that bond, but by nationals they come
together and get the job done. Its their
unison and kicking in one line that
really stands out,” Bickle said “All 13
girls are needed to make Crown Point
Varsity Dance Team what it is. Without a single one of them, we wouldn’t
be the team we are.”
With earning second in the nation
in pom, the girls’ routine will be aired
on ESPN2 at noon on March 1st.
“Only the top three teams from
each competition are shown,” senior
Natasha Boyd said. “Coming out na-
tional runner-up two years in a row
is an amazing accomplishment for
the team.”
After returning home the girls
headed on to the Lake Central Invitational, where they earned first
place in pom and kick. Also, the JV
team won first in pom and in jazz.
With those placements they advanced to regionals last weekend
where the varsity team won first in
both divisions. Also, the JV squad
won first in pom, and second in
jazz.
Following the high placements
in the regional round, the team will
travel to state on March 14th.
“To come home with two first
place trophies from Lake Central’s
competition and regionals was awesome. We impressed a lot of people,
and proved to ourselves that we deserved what we accomplished at nationals this year,” Boyd said.
The Lady Bulldogs basketball season came to an
end with a loss in the opening round of sectionals to
Michigan City by a score of 32-44.
“Whenever you end your season it is always
tough,” Head Coach Scott Reid said.
In the sectional game, senior Daniela Tarailo and
freshman Courtney Kvachkoff led the team in scoring
and both put up 12 points. Tarailo also had a game
high four steals and led the team in rebounding with
six boards.
Prior to the post-season the Lady Bulldogs started
off 9-0. However, the success was short lived when
the girls won only three of their next 12 games against
Merrilliville and LaPorte.
On the December 30 match-up against DAC foe
Merrilliville the Lady ‘Dogs were able to beat the
Pirates by a score of 58-46. At the halfway point the
Lady ‘Dogs had a comfortable 12 point lead. At an
early point of the fourth quarter, the Lady Pirates
inched back to a four point deficit, however after
the run, the Lady Pirates went on a scoring drought,
eventually leading to the Lady Bulldogs win and end
the three game losing skid.
After the Merrilliville win, the girls went on another losing streak, this time against four conference
teams until they faced off against LaPorte.
The girls had no problem against the Slicers,
when they blew past them 79-32.
“It’s part of the double-robin conference games,
coaches changed their gameplan against us, and we
probably took some people by surprise,” Reid said.
Tarailo led the team in points per game, assist
totals, steal totals, and pass deflctions, 17.6, 44, 62, 53,
respectively.
The Lady Bulldogs finshed fifth in the conference
with a .500 record of 7-7.
“We had six more conference wins than we had
last year and six more total wins than last year, so it
was definately an improvement,” Reid said.
The Lady Bulldogs were led by five seniors
Megan Maloney, Flori Garcia-Vicente, Daniela Tarailo,
Sydnee Reeves, and Claire Grubnich.
“I will miss the senior’s dedication, they came
ready to work, they were a great bunch of girls, I’ve
known most of them since the seventh grade so I will
definitely miss them,” Reid said.
take 5 with TREY
Steroids come to
center stage... again
By Trey Aultman /
sports editor
Once again the drug issue is
center stage in the sports world.
This time it contains a much
bigger name in Alex Rodriguez.
A-Rod, as he is known, tested
positive for performance enhancing drugs in an optional test during
the 2004 season. One day after the
information, that was supposed to
be confidential, was released, Rodriguez openly admitted to the using
of the steroids claiming that he was
under an enormous amount of pressure.
Who wouldn’t feel the pressure of a $252
million price tag? With that much money and
so many people counting on him, he folded
under the pressure. Even though it was done
under the use of steroids, A-Rod put up huge
numbers in the four years that he says he was
on steroids. He hit 156 home runs in the time
span, second only to embattled superstar
Barry Bonds. Also, in 2003, Rodriguez was
named American League MVP.
Steroids have done a terrible thing to the
game of baseball. The game is under constant
scrutiny because a few people cannot control
themselves. It has made anyone who ever hit
a home run in the major leagues a suspect of
steroid use. The number one problem is the
league front office. They are constantly giving incentives for home runs. It’s no wonder
people are juicing to hit the ball farther. They
already tried to move the fences in and when
that wasn’t enough, the players needed something else.
I respect the fact the Rodriguez came
right out and said that he had done something wrong. Admitting it was the most responsible thing to do. Even though the league
could not punish A-Rod for the test because
the drug was not illegal then, he realized
that he had many fans and teammates that
deserve that respect. Even more admirable,
when he realized it was wrong, he stopped.
Rodriguez has called himself naïve for taking
the performance enhancing drugs, but he has
not tested positive since suspensions for such
drugs were implemented.
This conflict has also brought back into
light the punishment for testing positive for
performance enhancing drugs. Currently, a
first positive test is a 50 game suspension. Several people have come out and said that this
is not punishment enough. While some say
a life-time ban would be sufficient, I would
agree with Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie
Guillen that a one season ban would be an
acceptable punishment.
The next step for Alex Rodriguez is to
finish up his career. He has been in the MLB
since 1994, when he was 18, and was a virtual
lock for the Hall of Fame. Now his status
for the Hall is uncertain. This is just another
example of how one bad decision can mess
up something great.
2.27.09
Up
-Varsity/JV Boys Basketball vs.
Chesterton (senior night)...6 p.m.
Coming
-Varsity Boys Swimming State...
TBA
2.28.09
-Varsity Boys Swimming State
Finals...TBA
-Varsity Boys Wrestling State Center
Grove vs. Roncalli... 10 a.m.
-Girls Varsity Gymnastics DAC
meet at home... 12 p.m.
3.3.09
-Varsity Boys Basketball sectional @
Michigan City vs. LaPorte... 5 p.m.
15
Sports
February 27, 2009
Boys, girls swimming make state meet
By Milan Savich / reporter
Trying to repeat as the sectional
champions, the girls swim team came
up short, and took second to Munster
at sectionals by a score of 365-328.5.
“We swam great at sectionals, but
they [Munster] just swam a little bit
better, overall it was a great meet,”
head coach Bryon Angerman said.
At the midway point, Munster had a
slim three point lead over the Bulldogs,
however, they were unable to gain ground
on the Seahorses, leading to the 36.5 loss.
“They [Munster] are tough,” Angerman said. “The group of girls that they
have is going to be top ten at the state meet.”
The Lady Bulldogs had seven
swimmers qualify for the state meet
including seniors Ashley Lionberger,
Sam LaMantia and Molly Raspopovich, junior Ashley Gose, sophomore
Rebekah Smith and freshman Haley Balko and Hannah Raspopovich.
“I’m looking forward to watching
the 200 Medley Relay at state, it should
be our best shot at making top eight,”
Angerman said. “With all of our races, our goal is to place in the top 16,”
The 200 Medley Relay, consisting
of sisters Molly and Hannah Raspopovich, Balko, and Gose, placed second
to Munster with a time of 1:49.09 in the
sectional and finished 12 in the state.
Smith, along with Lionberger, LaMantia and Hannah Raspopovich, qualified to swim the girls
200 freestyle relay in Indianapolis where the group finished 25.
“It’s an amazing feeling to go to state
two years in a row,” Smith said. “I went
to state as a freshman, so the feeling isn’t
Photo byJoe Nejman
Sophomore Jordan McRae swims the 100 yard butterfly at the sectional meet.
new to me, but it still feels awesome.”
Crown Point placed second in
the 200 freestyle relay, only to Munster who also qualified for state.
“The Munster team is really tough,
but I think we did our best and did a good
job swimming against them,” Smith said.
Molly Raspopovich placed third in
the 100 backstroke, however she was able
to make the state cut with a time of 58.84.
At the state meet Hannah Raspopovich placed 12th in the 50 Freestyle.
The boys swim team also started
their postseason by taking third place
in sectionals which were held at home
on Feb. 20. The boys are sending five
individual swimmers to the state
meet in Indianapolis this weekend.
State qualifiers include seniors Matt
Kukurugya and Brendan Morin, sophomores Blake Yeager and Marcus Try-
bula, and freshman Mike Kukurugya.
Yeager, who is part of the 200
Freestyle and 200 Medley relay teams
which both broke team records (1:26.31
and 1:37.37 respectivley), also individualy broke the 200 Freestyle
team record with a time of 1:43.95.
“I have been working hard and
looking forward to sectionals all year,”
Yeager said. “I was was swimming really well [at sectionals]. I’m a little nervous, but still very excited for State.
Matt Kukurugya also broke a
team record earning a time of 1:56.60
for the 200 Individual Medley.
Sophomore
diver
Tyler
Croell
reached
regionals
finishing with a sectional score of 383.30.
The boys head down to IUPUI
in
Indianapolis
to
compete at the state meet tomorrow.
Basketball looks to repeat sectional championship
By Colin Likas /
reporter
Photo by Trey Aultman
Senior Nathaniel Akers looks to pass
out of the post against E.C. Central.
3.4.09
-Varsity/JV Girls Track Indoor meet
vs. Clark, Gavit, and Lake Central @
Lake Central...6 p.m.
3.6.09
-Varsity Boys Basketball sectional at
Michigan City...TBA
3.7.09
The boys basketball team had set the
bar high last season by winning the sectional championship. They are looking to
match that and more this season.
The boys have made their way to a
12-7 record overall this season. Also, the
team is at 7-7 in Duneland Athletic Conference play.
“We have been pleased with the progress of this season,” third year coach Clint
Swan said. “Our only hope for success
this season was to see constant improvement.”
The teams of the last two seasons are
used as inspiration by some of the current
players, who look to make a deep run this
postseason.
“We want to do the same thing as last
year’s class did,” senior guard Mike Lipton said.
The team has been led all season by
its seniors including Lipton, and senior
3.10.09
-Varsity/JV Boys Track Indoor
meet vs. Lake Central and Portage @ Portage... 5 p.m.
3.12.09
-Varsity/JV Girls Track Indoor
meet @ Chesterton...6 p.m.
3.13.09
-Varsity Girls Gymnastics sectional
@ Chesterton... TBA
-Varsity Boys Basketball regional
... TBA
-Varsity Boys Basketball sectional
championship @ Michigan City... 7
p.m.
-Varsity Boys/Girls Track and
Field @ Purdue... 9 a.m.
For more information on CPHS sporting
events, visit www.HighSchoolSports.net.
-Varsity Girls Gymnastics regional... TBA
Brady Schuster, who leads the team in
scoring, but sophomore Michael Albrecht
has stepped in and contributed as of late
this season.
“It’s definitely a lot of fun to jump in
the mix and get to play with the seniors.
It’s been a really good experience for me,”
Albrecht said.
One of the recent Bulldog victories
came over the Lowell Red Devils by a
score of 65-46. In the game, Albrecht led
the team with 15 points, Lipton added 13,
and Schuster scored 11.
Another big win for the Bulldogs
came over DAC opponent Portage by a
score of 66-55. In the game, Crown Point
was led by senior Nathaniel Akers who
had a double-double with 15 points and
10 rebounds.
“We try to keep from hanging our
success on wins and losses,” Swan said.
The Bulldogs have drawn the LaPorte
Slicers in the first round of sectional play.
The game will be played at Michigan City
High School 6 p.m. March 3.
Achievements
- Junior Stephanie Edwards earned a spot
in the tenth annual Indiana High School
Bowling finals by placing first at the
South Bend Semi-State.
-Senior Lance LaMere has committed
to play football for the University of St.
Francis in Fort Wayne, Indiana. LaMere,
who holds Crown Point’s record for most
tackles in a season, joins a cougar team
that was undefeated in the regular season
and advanced as far as the NAIA Football
Championship Series semifinal.
-Senior Holly Sheffer is the athletic
department’s athlete of the week for the
week of Feb. 16-21 for her performance
in gymnastics. Sheffer posted a career
high score of 9.1 on her floor exercise.
16
Steppin’ out:
Personalities
February 27, 2009
Lady Steppers extracurricular
group wins talent show with
their urban-style dance routine
Danny Fabrici
sophomore
Photo By Joe Nejman
What is your fondest high school
memory?
Playing drums with my band for a
talent show in theater class.
Photo By Alex Parrish
If you could travel anywhere in
the world, where would you go?
Sophomores Aireal Strickland, Ariel Robinson, and freshmen Natalia Esper, Arereal Strickland, Alexa Aguirre, Lysandra
Orrantia, Siobanh Bryant, some members of the Lady Steppers, perform at the talent show. The Steppers won the “Most
Crowd Pleasing” award.
I would go to Ireland becase I’m Irish.
I have never been there but I have
always wanted to.
By Jeff Tompkins / staff writer
Who are three people you would
love to spend the day with?
Look out dancers, there’s a new team
in town.
Meet The Lady Steppers, a new afterschool extracurricular step group year
that specializes in “stepping,” an urban
dance phenomenon similar to such moves
displayed in the movie “Step Up” and its
sequel “Step Up 2: The Streets.”
Formed earlier this school year, the
Steppers came out of a relatively unknown
position to almost instant gratification at
the CPHS talent show on January 23. The
performance later won the “Most Crowd
Pleasing” award.
Junior Keisha Smith, who initially
thought of the idea to create the Steppers,
decided to form the team after not making
the high school’s dance team.
“There were a lot of moves that I just
hadn’t done before when I tried out for the
dance team, so me and a couple friends
decided to do our own thing,” Smith said.
Having a team that is less than one year
old, Smith is awestruck by the reception
that her team has already received in their
first year.
“We practiced and made everything
perfect and that’s why we won. But we
didn’t think we’d be this good so fast,” she
said.
History teacher Don Bernacky, one of
the five judges at the talent show, points
out that the Steppers were beyond what
anyone expected.
“Not only were their families screaming
for them, but the entire auditorium. It was
just a no-brainer to pick them for the Most
Crowd Pleasing,”
“Those girls just blew us away,”
Bernacky said.
Custodian Lorraine Love, who is the
self-admitted “unofficial mother” of the
group, says she’s surprised and excited
about the progress and early success of the
girls.
“I’m so proud of them. They’ve worked
hard all year, and it shows. They’ve worked
hard and that’s what everyone got to see at
the talent show,” Love said.
After their successful talent show
performance, the Steppers also performed
at a staff meeting for teachers and school
administrators. Many in the room didn’t
even know a step team existed at the high
school.
“They did their routine for us and were
really impressive. It’s kind of a surprise
I’ve never heard of them before, because
usually you hear about things like that,”
Physics teacher Jerome Flewelling said.
Smith says she plans to continue
practicing with the team into the next
school year, hopefully gaining members.
She also plans to try out for the dance team
again, even though she’s still a “stepper.”
“If we keep practicing and working
together we can only get better. There’s still
next year’s talent show,” Smith said.
Thom Yorke of Radiohead, Jessica
Alba and Megan Fox.
Name a major issue you believe
teens deal with everyday?
Drugs are a big problem because
they’re so easy to get and so many
people do them.
What is one thing that is unknown to most people?
The only thing you should fear is fear
itself.
What was your greatest accomplishment?
Recording music with my band. I was
happy that we could all get together
and work towards something bigger
then any of us have ever done
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CLASS OPTIONS:
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Monday & Wednesday 6 - 8 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. to noon
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Starting October 2 Ending November 20
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(No class November 27, December 23, December 25, December 30, and January 1)
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