6 - Merrillville Community School

Merrillville High School
Merrillville, Indiana
THE
January 26, 2010
Vol. 28, Issue 6
OPINION
MIRROR
MIRROR
TEXTAHOLICS: Teachers and students express opinion on texting in class
‘10
Senioritis takes
hold
NEW YEAR DIETS: Sensible advice on staying fit
GYMNASTICS: MHS gymnasts head to big invite
page 3
page 8
page 12
Money crunch squeezes town
FEATURES
Star students
showcase their
talent
SPORTS
Sophomore
shines on court
Quoted
“
Might as well
write the last nine
weeks of school
off. Seniors
should graduate
in January.
”
Government teacher
James Stamper, on the
work ethic of seniors
in his third trimester
classes.
tBY MEREDITH DOBES
Over 300 streetlights on
Merrillville’s main drags were
turned off in November 2009, and
simultaneously, the spotlight was
put on the town’s monetary issues.
“The town owes NIPSCO
hundreds of thousands. [By
shutting off streetlights,] we will
save thousands,” Director of Public
Works Mr. Bruce Spires said.
The lights will stay shut off
indefinitely after the town is out of
debt to stay in the black.
Merrillville receives its money
through the state, and the state
dictates tax increases. Taxes have
not been raised because of the
political issues doing so would
create.
It will make for an easier
reelection for the politicians, Mr.
Spires said.
Merrillville has the third lowest
property tax rates in the county.
From property taxes, the town
receives $0.15 cents of every $1
paid. The school system receives
$0.55 of every $1. The Lake
County Public Library also gets a
separate amount of every $1.
Merrillville’s public works
department receives no money
from the town. They earn money
through a fuel tax and a monthly
storm water fee of $5.
“Gas prices went up high, and
people started not buying gas. It’s
a double whammy for us. We’re
paying more for gas and getting
less in return. We receive about
$1.6 million a year and need $2
million more a year,” Mr. Spires
said.
Roads in Merrillville have not
been repaved for a few years.
The public works department fills
potholes to save money. However,
money is still spent on material
and time. The department has 16
and 17-year-old trucks that they
cannot find parts for. The salt used
by snowplows is diluted with 45
percent beet juice and 55 percent
water.
Merrillville’s police department
should statistically have at least 79
police officers employed but has
around 67. The police department
is one of the lowest paid in the
county.
“Younger officers will cut
their teeth with Merrillville, and
then go elsewhere for work. They
come in with no experience, and
the town has to pay to send them
to the Indiana Law Enforcement
Academy,” Chairman of the
Budget and Finance Committee
Mr. Shawn Pettit said.
Merrillville has a part-time
volunteer fire department. There
are no funds available to have
a full time fire department. The
town pays $675,000 to the Ross
Township Fire Department for
backup.
“It’s really putting a crimp on
public safety. [Merrillville] has
a $15 million budget and can’t
operate on that. We need a $20
million budget,” Mr. Pettit said.
In 1971, when Merrillville was
incorporated, the State of Indiana
put a property tax freeze on the
town. A constitutional amendment
has also been passed to lock
property tax rates at one, two
and three percent. A hotel/motel
tax, town sales tax and food and
beverage tax have been brought up.
“An answer would have to
come from the state level. Indiana
would have to allow us an income
tax. We’re dealing with a ’71
situation in 2010. Everyone hears
the word ‘tax,’ and is immediately
against it. Be careful what you
wish for. Merrillville won’t be able
to pave or do much of anything.
Continued on page 2.
News
2
Bathroom vandalism
keeps custodians busy
tBY MICHAEL BARNETT
AND MORGAN LAMB
Vandalizing school bathrooms
seems to be an increasingly
popular pastime for the students
here.
Graffiti seems to keep finding
its way on the walls. Toilets,
made of porcelain, have been
completely broken in half
and 304 stainless steel bolts
have been ripped out of place,
leaving the toilet tissue holders
completely useless and broken.
Students also find the time
to flush many things other than
the old-fashioned “number one”
and “number two” down the
toilet. Pairs of jeans and a purse
are among the odd items flushed
down into the school’s pipe
system.
Custodian of 20 years, Mr.
Joe Jurisa, said he has noticed an
increase of the vandalism from
previous years. Many times, he
has repainted bathroom walls
that are repeatedly ruined by
students.
“So many events occur
that 90 percent of the time,
maintenance has to go into an
emergency fund. This reduces
the ability to buy things for you
guys,” Custodian Mr. William
Parnell said.
The maintenance crew is
allotted a specific amount of
money each year. When that
fund runs dry, they must dip into
emergency funds.
Last year, a student flushed
a pair of pants down the toilet.
The bathrooms near the cafeteria
were closed for two weeks.
Removing the pants involved a
long, costly procedure. The crew
had to get to the pants before
they went into the town pipes.
The water was shut off to that
area. The maintenance crew had
to unbolt the toilet and bring in
a drainer and a snake, which is
similar to a long rope. With a
corkscrew attached to the snake,
crews were able to grab the pants
and unclog the system.
MHS crews had to borrow a
150-foot snake from the town.
Total cost: $1,000.
Stall in boys’ bathroom located
near the cafeteria at the end of
the school day.
Students may not realize the
hard work the maintenance crew
does to keep the bathrooms as
nice as possible.
“We have a fabulous custodial
staff that takes notice to what we
need. They work extremely hard
to make the building spotless,”
Principal Mr. Mike Krutz said.
The staff takes vandalism
seriously. Students either receive
a suspension or, deciding on the
act, may receive an expulsion.
They also have to pay the
consequence by actually paying
for the damages.
“If you don’t do it at home,
don’t do it here,” Mr. Krutz said.
Damaging public property
outside of school is more than
just a suspension or night school.
There is a costly and time
consuming punishment, which
may consist of spending a few
nights in jail.
“It’s play here in school,
much different than the real
world,” Mr. Krutz said.
Mr. Krutz said that 96 percent
of the students here make “good
decisions all the time.”
“It’s something you should
hope you don’t have to talk
about,” Mr. Krutz said, “Does it
happen a lot? No, but one time is
enough.”
Senior class fund raising
tBY PATTI ZIMMERMAN
The Class of 2010 is hosting
a game night January 28.
All proceeds go towards a
scholarship in honor of Sam
Troutman.
“All grades are invited. It will
be open to the community too,”
Senior Class Sponsor Mr. James
Stamper stated.
Wii tournaments, bean bag
contests, traditional board games
and card games are planned.
Winners will be awarded prizes,
such as gift cards that were
donated by local businesses.
The game night will be in the
Freshman Cafeteria from 5 p.m.
to 8 p.m.
The goal for the scholarship is
$500. Students who plan to study
in the medical field and meet a
specific GPA requirement are
eligible to apply.
In February the Senior Class
will host the annual Dodge
Ball Tournament. Profits will
go to purchase a memorial ad
in the yearbook in memory of
Troutman. One page will be for
pictures from Troutman’s friends
and the other for his parents.
The spread will cost $600.
“The profit will come from
the pennies collected (Penny
war)” Senior Class Sponsor Mrs.
Rae Lopez stated.
Donations are also accepted
for scholarship and yearbook
spread. Contact Mr. Stamper in
Room BC 103.
Money crunch squeezes town, schools
Continued from page 1
may be too late by the time
taxes are raised,” Mr. Pettit
said.
East Chicago has 2,000
to 3,000 fewer people than
Merrillville and has close to a
$45 million budget. They also
have about 95 police officers.
Other towns in Lake
County have utilities to
generate revenue, and
Merrillville does not.
“More taxes are not what
we need. We need careful
spending,” Clerk Treasurer Mr.
Eugene Guernsey said.
All town employees had
to take five furlough days at
the end of 2009 and will have
to take five more in the first
quarter of 2010. These are
unpaid days off.
“I feel sorry for the
citizens,” Mr. Guernsey said.
Budget woes hit schools
At the beginning of
January, Governor Mitch
Daniels announced a plan to
cut $300 million from schools.
The Merrillville Community
School Corporation will lose
four and a half percent from
their general fund. For years,
Merrillville schools received
their money from property
taxes. When residents did not
pay these taxes, it caused a
five percent loss in money for
the schools. Indiana started
supplying funding to schools
from sales and income taxes in
2009 to make up for this loss.
Because of the economy, the
state is withholding the four
and a half percent.
“We’ve always tried to live
within the five percent loss,”
Superintendent of Schools Dr.
Tony Lux said. “Education
stimulus money helped. It was
to be used for our discretion
and to offset losses from the
general fund.”
The school system will
not be able to collect the
losses from property taxes of
previous years because the
state now has power over the
schools’ tax money.
Merrillville schools could
be granted more money from
the Race to the Top program in
which the State of Indiana is
competing with other states for
federal funding.
“I do not foresee a negative
impact for the rest of the
school year,” Dr. Lux said.
However, summer school,
after school remediation and
next school year could see
reductions. Decisions on this
will be made after the school
corporation knows about Race
to the Top money in April and
this legislative session.
“It’s a difficult time in the
country, and the effects of
that are hurting regular city
and town government, along
with the schools. If it’s long
term, it will cause problems
for schools to meet increased
academic standards,” Dr. Lux
said.
In May 2009, Merrillville
Community School
Corporation’s Drug Abuse
Resistance Education program
(DARE) was cut due to
funding. It was a partnership
program with the town. The
$30,000 cost was split.
“The town government is in
more dire financial states,” Dr.
Lux said.
All grade levels still have
curriculum pertaining to drugs
and alcohol.
“Indications in the economy
seem to be that there will be a
turnaround, but it will take a
couple of years,” Dr. Lux said.
“We will get through this. It
will be difficult, but we will be
able to.”
Ms. Ashley Bulduk is a Special Education teacher who works with
students in the Social Studies Department. She was misidentified in
the last issue of the Mirror. The staff regrets error.
News
3
Are you a textaholic?
When they were sophomores last year, Queen Stephanie Lobody
danced with her date, Tyler Houser.
Tickets for Freshman-Sophomore
Winter Formal on sale now
tBY JILL LARSON
Sillyjilly29374@yahoo.com
Since Prom is for juniors
and seniors, the Merrillville
High School Winter Formal is
for sophomores and freshmen.
It’s that time of year again, and
the Winter Formal, sponsored by
FCCLA, is February 12 from 7
to 10 p.m. in the main cafeteria.
The tickets will be sold for
$15 per person, and that includes
refreshments and photo package
that includes one-5x7 and four
wallets. The dress is semi-formal
for all students attending.
There will be a freshman
queen and sophomore queen
crowned at the dance. All MHS
girls who purchase a ticket will
be on the ballot for the dance
queen.
“This dance is for singles,
couples and groups of friends, so
buy a ticket soon as possible,”
FCCLA sponsor Ms. Carol
VonBehren said.
The tickets for the Winter
Formal will be sold January 27 in
the bookstores.
tBY ALLISON KISH AND
NIAM MUHAMMAD
In a recent article, USA
Today reports that 65 percent of
students text message in school.
Text messaging has become
a significant part in the lives of
high school students. Convenient
and easy, texting is a major form
of communication between
students without any form of
verbal use.
Many students take text
messaging beyond their home
and admit they text message in
school and get away with it with
little or no penalties.
Sophomore Aurielle Carson,
who is an honors student and
has only received one detention
throughout her two years at
Merrillville High, said she sends
text messages because there
is “nothing else to do and my
phone is the closest thing to my
house, which is really where I’d
rather be.”
However, not all students text
message during school.
“I see no use in texting
at school. I see my friends
anyway,” Sophomore Brooklyn
Russell said.
Most teachers follow the
penalties stated in the student
handbook regarding text
messaging. School rules state,
“If a staff member takes an
electronic device and gives
it to the appropriate assistant
principal, a parent must come
and pick up the device, and
a Friday detention could be
assigned to the student.”
Family and Consumer Science
Teacher Mrs. Margaret Stallings
strictly follows these procedures.
If a student is caught texting, she
will take the phone and turn it
into the office.
“Texting is great but not 24/7.
It is something that shouldn’t be
done in school,” Mrs. Stallings
said.
Others such as Social Studies
Teacher Mr. Chris Richardson
will give the student a warning
the first time and will not
automatically take the phone.
However, after the second time
the student is caught texting, he
will take the phone.
“I feel that text messaging
distracts the students, because
they are not focused on the
subject matter. They are only
focused on their social life. There
is a time and place for texting,
and it is not in school,” Mr.
Richardson said.
Mr. Richardson also said that
he feels disrespected when a
student is texting.
“It makes me feel like what
Bradshaw College Consulting
I’m doing is not that important,”
Mr. Richardson said.
Students must not believe
sending text messages in
school affects their learning
environment because the number
of students who text in class
seems to be overwhelming.
“Every time I look up from
mine [cell phone], I see multiple
students’ texting,” Carson said.
“At least two people in each
period are texting all period,”
Russell said.
Not only has text messaging
been banned in school, but many
work places have also begun
to implement the “no-texting”
policy with stricter penalties than
before.
Stardust Bowl II employee
Jill Larson has worked at the
bowling alley for two years.
“In the years I have worked
there, text messaging was
accepted. Even though it was not
encouraged, there were no severe
rules regarding text messaging,”
Larson said.
However, Larson and other
employees recently had a
meeting in which they were told
that if caught text messaging,
they will immediately be fired.
“I think that it is a good idea,
especially because everyone was
texting at work,” Larson said.
“Texting definitely got out of
hand.”
• College Admissions Consulting
• PSAT / SAT / ACT Tutoring
www.BradshawCollegeConsulting.com
Gerald_bradshaw@post..harvard.edu
219-663-3041
Located in Crown Point, Indiana
Educated Advice Columnist in the Post-Tribune
Senior Caitlyn Hill shows how some students hide
text messaging during school.
Opinion
4
Put a stop to teen violence now
Schools traditionally are
thought of as safe havens for
kids. However, school systems
have never been without
violence.
Since the playground days,
students have been engaged in
fights, from lashing out at peers
and teachers, to gunning down
people and injuring or even
killing them.
Teen violence is consuming
America, and soon it will
become a problem. There used
to be a time where people would
have a good old fist fight. Now,
you turn on the TV to see another
teen death because of gun
violence.
Let’s not let that happen here
at MHS and have it become
another school that is engaged in
this type of activity. It may seem
like a stretch, but it’s possible.
Problems at Merrillville never
get solved the right way. Getting
suspended doesn’t mean it’s
going to solve the problem. It
could possibly happen again or
worsen.
January 12 saw one of the
biggest fights of the year at
MHS.
A group of girls decided
to take matters into their own
hands and handle a problem
themselves. Unfortunately, the
girls who were involved cannot
talk about what happening for
specific reasons. Although, they
can mention a few things that
went on.
Principal Mr. Mike Krutz
said, “It’s a shame. They had so
many other options.”
Many young people do not
know how to effectively manage
jealousy, teasing and physical
aggression, all of which may
result in juvenile delinquency
and violence.
That’s why programs at MHS
like Peer Mediation, which is a
negotiation-based strategy that
resolves conflicts among their
peers, should be enforced more.
We have it. Why not enforce
this as much as a suspension?
When there is a dispute
at school, the mediator must
become the neutral, third party
and work with the disputants on
another level.
The fight between these
girls was a result of suspension.
My advice to the students at
Merrillvile is to just let things go
before it blows of of proportion.
Or find someone to talk to about
the problems that are occuring.
As a peer mediator myself I’m
able to see many conflicts that
start just by ‘he said she said.’
Don’t be a fool. Be smarter than
that. There are different ways
other then suspension or fighting
to solve a problem.
tRAEVYN HARPER
Seniors say disease, teachers say lazy
7:45 Monday morning comes
early when you already have the
countdown for half days, days
off and spring and summer break
memorized.
“Might as well write the last
nine weeks of school off. Seniors
should graduate in January,” U.S.
government teacher Mr. James
Stamper said, comparing seniors
he teaches in the first trimester
to the traditional work ethic of
seniors in the last trimester.
Mr. Stamper said he believes
most seniors do their best in the
second trimester, comparing the
work ethic of the seniors he has
throughout the year.
Maybe school should only be
during the cold winter months?
We have no other better things to
do except sit inside and drink hot
chocolate.
When the warm months come,
we should be able to run free and
do as we please with our friends.
Six days a week from November
through March 1, not so much.
Senior Mohammad ‘Najeb’
Arifee said, “There is this thing I
like. It’s called sleep. I can catch
up on it in class.”
As senior class president, he
is still working to maintain his
GPA and set examples for the
rest of the school.
I have to be at school
physically, but mentally? Not a
chance.
Of course, we have all
slept in school at one point or
another. Whether it is late night
homework, watching your
favorite reality show, “Call of
Duty” or Facebook, we all have
our reasons for blowing off
sleep.
With some seniors ready to
graduate, senioritis is becoming
more prevalent among some
students, while others battle it
out.
“I’m ready to leave,” Class
of 2010 salutatorian Caitlyn Hill
said. Although her final year here
is harder than the others, she is
trying to stay focused, while still
looking forward to graduating
and moving on to bigger and
better things.
“Seniors, to me, tend to be
more focused and self motivated
[compared to underclassmen],”
Mr. Stamper said.
With some seniors ready to
give up now, what about the
valedictorian?
Class of 2010 valedictorian
Cha’yra Eddie said school has
always been fun to her, and she
was prepared for a tough year.
Even though she is keeping
a quick pace on school work,
she plans to have her first study
hall of her high school career the
third trimester.
When asked about taking half
days or graduating early, Hill and
Arifee both would like to have
them but just couldn’t make it
happen with the schedules they
intend on having.
“No, school is fun,” Eddie
said, and added that her classes
are career-oriented. She said
she thinks it is important to take
those classes while still in high
school.
Senioritis depends on the
teacher. If the teacher lays down
the law the first day, the students
stay on top of the work.
But once the teacher lets up,
“it gets bad,” Mr. Stamper said.
He suggests that all seniors
be smart and make the right
decisions so it doesn’t cost them
in the future.
tBAKER KEPCHAR
News
5
Sophomores wonder about
passing scores on ECA
Led by MHS graduate Antonion Ross, members of Voices of Reason sing at the MLK Brunch hosted by
MHS, MIS and Pierce STAND January 16. Their second year doing the program, 170 people came. On
January 18, STAND hosted a workshop in which over 100 students participated to honor Dr. King’s
message and talk about inequality. Chesterton, Crown Point, East Chicago Central, Hebron, Portage and
Valparaiso schools participated. Photo by Kelli Chavez
Grad rate up to 87.3 percent
tBY CAITLYN HILL
For the class of 2009,
Merrillville High School’s
graduation rate increased to 87.3
percent, roughly an eight percent
increase from the previous
graduating class.
In comparison to other
schools “we are towards the top,”
said Guidance Coordinator Mrs.
Michelle Sulich.
The important thing to
understand is the change in the
way graduation rate is measured.
Instead of keeping track of the
number of students in their
senior year of school, the number
of students entering into a high
school in their freshmen year is
recorded, and these students are
The Mirror is the student
newspaper of Merrillville High
School, 276 E. 68th Pl., Merrillville,
IN 46410.
Publications at MHS are
members of the Indiana High
School Press Association, National
Scholastic Press Association and
Quill and Scroll.
Letters to the editor are welcome.
Students may drop off their letters in
Room M108.
Editor
Julia Dicken
News Patti Zimmerman
called a cohort. The cohort is
kept track of all the way through
senior year, and a school’s
graduation rate comes from each
cohort.
Since it is such a different
group of kids each year, Mrs.
Sulich said comparing them is
like “apples and oranges.”
There are other difficulties
with cohorts, such as a student
leaving the state to go to a
different school before his four
years with that cohort is over.
Also, if a student were to be held
back and does not graduate with
their cohort, they do not move to
the other cohort. This also counts
against the rate of graduation.
“Since they’ve started the new
calculation method, we’ve been
continuously going up,” said
Mrs. Sulich.
The goal for the class of 2010
is to have 85 percent of students
graduate, despite the fact that the
previous year was greater than
this. Again, it is due to changing
cohorts.
Main reasons for students
not graduating are records of
school failure or not passing the
graduation qualifying exam.
Mrs. Sulich said that the
trimester schedule is intended to
assist students. Giving students
“the chance to remediate” with
ISTEP classes and alternative
classes is also helping students to
graduate.
The Mirror
Reporters
Caitlyn Hill
Baker Kepchar, Allison Kish
Morgan Lamb, Jill Larson
Korey Loudermilk, Brandon Neal
Chaloni Walker, Rachel Walton
Jim Wright, Patti Zimmerman
Adviser
Mrs. Teresa Procter
Opinion
Jill Larson
Features
Caitlyn Hill
Arts & Entertainment
Meredith Dobes
Sports Michael Dicken, Jim Wright
Photo
Raevyn Harper
Reporters
Micheal Barnett
Aurielle Carson, Kaitlyn Cygan Julia Dicken, Nakel McClinton
Michael Dicken, Meredith Dobes
Raevyn Harper, Niam Muhammed
Letters to the editor must be
200 words, signed
by the student,
and delievered to
room M108.
tBY AURIELLE CARSON
Students, teachers and
administration have to wait seven
months until they receive the
passing or failing scores for the
Algebra 1 ECA.
According to www.doe.
in.gov/eca/, the Core 40 ECA, or
end of the course assessment is
used to “measure what students
know and what they are able to
do upon completion of targeted
Core 40 courses.”
The Sophomore Class took
the end of the course assessment
in Algebra last trimester and
received results at the beginning
of the second trimester.
“At first I was excited to see
how I did, but soon I became
disappointed when I only got
two confusing pieces of paper,”
Sophomore Raven Hope said.
The two pieces of paper
included the interim report
with their estimated overall
percentages on a scale of
100 coming from 5 different
categories; 20 percent in linear
equations and inequalities,
systems of linear equations,
and polynomials, 25 percent
in sketching and interpreting
graphs, and 15 percent in
quadratic equations. Their
overall estimated grade was
listed on top of the estimated
state average, which was 53.25
percent, for passing.
“I feel highly upset about
the results because the math
department doesn’t know if
I passed or not,” Sophomore
Deafricka McDaniel said.
Students were told to take
their percentage and look at the
second page they were given that
included options. Students with
an estimated percentage below
60 percent were given three
options. They could either see
their counselor about retaking
Algebra 1B, which is the only
way to retake the ECA, retake
the Algebra1B in summer school,
or wait until August 2010, and if
they did not pass, take the ECA
prep class their junior year for an
elective credit and then retake the
End of the Course Assessment.
According to Mrs. Nancy
Draper, chairman of the Math
Department, about 25 percent
of the department is completely
involved in this issue.
“One of the Math
Department’s tasks is to develop
a class for those students that
have passed the ECA, but not the
class or have passed the class but
not the ECA,” Draper added.
Mrs. Michelle Sulich,
Guidance Coordinator, said that
retaking the class couldn’t hurt.
“Yes a D is passing in Algebra
and yes you get a credit, but that
is not a good grade foundation.
Think of it as a house. If you
have a D in algebra, then you
have to take geometry, and if you
can’t pass algebra then how do
you expect to pass Algebra 2?”
Sulich added.
Parents were invited to attend
the ECA results meeting when
students received the scores, only
two parents showed up.
Sophomore Morgan Walton
admitted to not showing her
parents.
“I was disappointed in the
scores myself; I wouldn’t want to
show them,” she said.
According to Mrs. Draper,
writing would be a good solution
to frustrated parents,
“Writing the state would let
the state know how you feel
and can really change things.
This is not a decision the Math
Department agreed on. A lot
of the Math Department went
through a lot and should be
commended,” she added.
“Remember, this is not a
Merrillville thing, it’s a state
thing.” Mrs. Sulich said.
More ECA tests are on the
schedule for sophomores before
the end of the second trimester.
Results won’t be known until
August.
Fea
6
The Revue re
t BY BRANDON NEAL
When he was a sophomore,
Senior Matt McClindon won the
contest that was then part of the
Revue. In this photo from the
2009 Revue, when he hosted the
event, McClindon tap dances to
introduce Mrs. Melissa Sickinger.
This year, for the fourth year,
McClindon will be part of the
show. He will perform a comedy
routine. Photo by Giolas.
Lip
Sync
dazzles
for fifth
year
in a row
t BY NAKEL MCCLINTON
As soon as the Hard Bodies
took the stage and the first line
of N*SYNC’s “Tearin’ Up My
Heart” rang into the auditorium,
the crowd went wild. Members of
the group professed to know the
outcome of the contest long before
they took the stage.
“Theo [Makarounas] kept
saying that we were going to win,”
group member Senior Jaylen
Bentely said.
The $400 the group gained by
winning the contest was used to
reinburse members of the group
for their matching wardrobe.
Preparing for the annual Lip
Sync show kept the PNN crew the
busiest yet. The show that started
in 2005 has had four consecutive
sellouts, and with all of the talk
around school, this year turned out
to be the fifth.
PNN adviser Mr. Mark
Ciesielski said they had received
between 25 and 30 applications.
Tryouts were held December 17 to
narrow select 12 of the best acts.
“We had a bunch [of applicants]
this year,” Mr. Ciesielski said.
Mr. Ciesielski said in the past,
the PNN staff had chosen the
groups just by their applications,
and it turned out that some of the
groups weren’t dedicated or ended
up quitting. This year they wanted
the groups to earn their spot on
stage.
“The PNN staff, myself, Mr.
[Brian] Past, the senior advisers,
and the staff of the PNN Friday
Show will be there and decide
On February 11, 2010, in the
Reinhart Auditorium, Merrillville
High School’s Performing Arts
Department will host the annual
Revue.
In the past the Revue has had
acts such as singing, rapping,
acting, comedy and anything else
that can be performed on stage.
Drama Director Stephen Elser
will direct the Revue.
“We have some very good acts.
We have a lot of musical acts, but
we have a wide variety for the
show,” Mr. Elser said.
Auditions were held January
14.
There were various types
of acts, but a popular one was
singing. There were acts that
included rapping, dancing, guitar
playing and skits.
“There are some things that
are going to be changing from
last year. First, there is no longer
a contest. We’re just going to
showcase our talent,” Mr. Elser
said.
“This school has a lot of talent
and we’re going to show it off.
Secondly, this year it will be the
same show each night,” he added.
All of the acts are limited to
four minutes each. The Revue
gives all of the contestants who
make the show a fair chance to do
whatever they do best on stage in
front of a crowd.
Mr. Elser made the contrast
between Lip Sync and the Revue.
“Well, Lip Sync is pretty easy
to do. This show we’re relying on
talent and ability. For Lip Sync,
it’s not required. Anybody can
learn how to lip sync,” Mr. Elser
noted.
The Revue has two separate
dates: February 10 and February
11. Both of the shows will start
promptly at 7 p.m., but the
February 10 show will end at 9
p.m. and the February 11 show
will end at 10 p.m.
“I think students should come,
because it’s not that expensive and
everybody will be entertained,”
who’s the best,” Mr. Ciesielski
said about choosing the final 12
December 17.
Tryouts were not the only
difference between this year’s
show and the others. The night of
the contest, the judges chose who
they thought the top five groups
were, and the groups came back
on stage and performed a second
song.
For this year’s show, Mr.
Ciesielski chose Mr. Dave Hinkel
and Mr. James Simon.
“It’s an honor to have Mr.
Ciesielski to ask Mr. Simon and
myself to be apart of this,” Mr.
Hinkel said. “Compared to the past
hosts, Coach Bart, Mr. Past and
Hudson, and last year’s duo, we’re
just going to try to take it up just
one more notch.”
While neither of them have
ever hosted before, both Mr.
Hinkel and Mr. Simon have been
a part of the Lip Sync before.
Mr. Hinkel was a judge and a
talent scout for Mr. Past and Mr.
Hudson, while Mr. Simon had
been security for several years.
“Some people say we’re like
brothers separated at birth, so I
wouldn’t host it with any other
person. To be with Mr. Simon is
kind of the way it should be,” Mr.
Hinkel said.
Mr. Simon was also happy
about hosting partnership.
“That made me the most
excited. Combine all of the
excitement from hosting and
hosting with Mr. Hinkel into one,”
atures
7
eturns
Mr. Elser said.
Singing acts will include
Senior Nicole Varela, Sophomore
Kayla Greene and Senor Camilia
Logwood.
Singing duets spots were given
to Seniors Melina and Juan Rivera,
and for singing ensemble, the spot
went to Senior Kiara StephensBrown’s group.
For comedy, the spots were
awarded to Seniors Louisa
Schwatz and Matt McClindon.
Sophomore Taylor Carter
will perform a dance solo, and
Sophomore Aaron Bennet and his
partner will perform a dance duet.
Senior Mariah Dennis and
the senior members of the Dance
Team will also perform.
Junior Sara Dora, Junior
Cody Munroe and Sophomore
Luqmann Ruth will entertain
with instrumental music, and for
instrument with vocals, the spots
went to Senior Nathan Hartford,
Junior Lea Neligan’s trio and
Freshman Hannah Bailey.
said Mr. Simon.
Judges for the show were
narrowed down to 10 finalists: Mr.
Andy Niksich, Mr. Jeff Eaton, Mr.
Rayshon Richardson, Mrs. Melissa
Sickinger, Mr. Mike Knocke, Mr.
Nick Petralia, Mr. James Stamper,
Miss Carolina Procter, Ms. Ashley
Bulduk and Mr. Chris Richardson.
“Students will vote on who
should be the judges based on
a segment they will see on the
Friday show where [the teachers]
can ‘plead [their] case’ as to why
[they] would be the best judge.
We will announce the five actual
judges the night of the show live
on stage,” Mr. Ciesielski said.
Lip Sync 2010 took
place January 11 in Reinhart
Auditorium.
Freshman
Carly Larson
throws a
strike at
Stardust II
in her youth
bowling
league.
Larson has
been bowling
since she was
six years old
and is now
a member
of the
Merrillville
girls’ varsity
Bowling
team. Photo
by Jill
Larson.
Student athletes willing
to work hard to succeed
t BY KOREY LOUDERMILK
Senior Nicole Varela performs during the 2009 Revue, and this year, she
has earned another spot on stage. She will sing. Photo by Giolas.
Senior Jaylen Bentley and his group perform their routine for
the 2010 Lip Sync. He and his group, which consisted of Theo
Makarounas, Landau Lang, Monte Brown and Jory Cunningham,
won the $400 prize. Photo by Giolas.
Although this season marked
Carly Larson’s first in high
school, she is a starter on the girls’
bowling team.
Larson, who has been bowling
for the last ten years, spends
most of her time in leagues and
tournaments.
“It’s one of those sports
that if you try hard enough you
improve,” Larson said.
Larson also stated that her
entire family bowls.
Similar to the familial influence
that pushed Larson to bowl,
Senior third basemen Kevin
Schroeder became interested in
baseball when his father played in
the minor leagues.
“I want to follow in his
footsteps,” Schroeder said.
Schroeder has been playing
since he was ten and made varsity
his sophomore year.
Baseball player turned softball
shortstop Junior Gabby Ponce
spent her early childhood playing
with her older brothers.
“My brothers have always
inspired me to play,” Ponce said. Her favorite memory was
winning her first game.
Ponce continues to practice
every other day up to two hours
and wants to play in college.
Senior Kelly Wiggins realized
in fourth grade that he was faster
than most of his peers. He ran
track, mainly the 200 and the
4x100, for the past eight years.
“I went to state last year and
placed 13th out of about 70 teams
and am hoping to improve this
year,” Wiggins said.
Also hoping to improve this
year is Senior Francis Martisovic,
the number one boys’ varsity
golfer. He plans on doing this
by “playing with people who are
better” than he is.
Martisovic said he thinks that
despite natural ability to be truly
competitive, hard work has to be
put in.
“It takes practice,” Martisovic
said, “to make a good athlete.”
Arts & Entertainment
8
A better way
to be healthy
tBY PATTI ZIMMERMAN
One of the most popular New
Year’s resolutions is dieting,
losing weight, getting in shape
— in a nutshell, being healthy.
Dieting does not have to
mean starving and working out
constantly.
Dieting is defined as a
particular selection of food,
as designed or prescribed to
improve a person’s physical
condition.
“Never fast [to not eat.]
Always eat,” Respiratory
therapist Mrs. Julie Arnold said.
When people fast, they may
lose some weight, but they are
losing more muscle than fat.
Teens’ diets should contain
pastas, milk (low fat), fresh
fruits, 100 percent whole wheat
bread, bright colored vegetables
and one egg a day. Teens need 25
to 30 grams of fiber a day. Cereal
helps gain fiber. Mrs. Arnold
advises staying away from red
meat like beef; only have it on
occasion. Lean meat like chicken
and fish are healthy.
“Don’t fry your foods,” Mrs.
Arnold said.
Baking, grilling and steaming
are healthier for the body. Stay
away from fast food; almost
everything is fried.
“Yogurt is another food that
is great for anyone’s body, and
nuts,” Arnold noted.
“Non-roasted nuts are great.
You can get them at any health
food store. Have about a half a
cup a day,” Jim O’Kelly, owner
of Jim Dandy’s Diner advised.
Plain organic Greek yogurt
is high in protein and highly
recommended to keep the body
healthy. Flavored yogurts are
safe, but stay away from yogurt
with fruits on the bottom.
“Don’t count calories. It’s
hard,” Mrs. Arnold said. “Eat
foods with low fat, high protein
and not so high carbs. Stay away
from sugar, flour and processed
food.”
Processed foods are frozen
foods like T.V. dinners, Lean
Cuisine and frozen pizza. Dark
chocolate is healthy.
Working out is another way
to lose weight. Eating before
working out helps burn fat.
“I try to run most of the
time. It keeps me in shape,” Mr.
O’Kelly said.
“Starving yourself and then
working out can cause a lot more
harm then help. Food is fuel,”
Mrs. Arnold said.
Working out is not just
lifting weights. It can include
running, biking, swimming or
even dancing. Yoga and Pilates
are recommended workouts for
women. They help physically
and mentally. Workout videos
are effective ways to lose weight.
Videos are available at any local
library, sports store or drug store.
“Always mix up your routines
as much as possible. Trick your
muscles,” Mrs. Arnold said.
Daily routines like walking
around school and working
do not work out the muscles.
The body is immune to those
routines, and they no longer have
an effect on the muscles.
“Peer pressure is horrible,”
Mrs. Arnold said. “I have a
teenage daughter, and all girls
think that being skinny is being
pretty. Many look towards
diet pills. They are terrible for
anyone.”
Diet pills can cause liver,
kidney and heart problems. The
pills can help lose weight, but
they have short term effects. All
weight will be gained back, and
health problems will occur.
“Just by watching what you
eat,” Mr. O’Kelly noted, “you
can have a happy, healthy life.”
‘Jersey Boys’ changed with seasons
tBY JILL LARSON
Sillyjilly29374@yahoo.com
For the past two years, “Jersey
Boys” the musical, has graced
the Bank of America Theatre
in Chicago with its heartfelt
performance. Unfortunately, the
last Chicago performance was
January 10.
The famous lives of Frankie
Valli, Tommy DeVito, Nick
Massi and Bob Gaudio, or
Frankie Valli and the Four
Seasons, were portrayed
throughout the play. These
individuals were a group of
young singers who lived in
New Jersey and had a musical
talent that no one had ever heard
before.
Throughout the play, each
singer of the group took
turns explaining their twisted
experiences. Each performer
dealt with things differently
but felt the same about creating
timeless entertainment.
DeVito was the man who
started it all. He got the group
together, and he never let anyone
forget it. DeVito was the bad boy
of the group. He had a gambling
problem and, gradually, got into
a tight spot. This spot ran the
group into debt.
Massi was the middle man.
He never got into trouble and
always stood by Tommy DeVito.
The two were always together.
In the end, Massi was sick of
always being in the shadow and
quit the group.
Gaudio was the last Season
to join the quartet. He was the
musical creator. He wrote most
songs and music. He was the
youngest of them all, and a life
on the rode for a teen was rough.
The rest of the guys showed him
how to live.
Valli was the lead singer.
His voice was different and
enchanting, so it was hard not to
listen to him. Valli went through
two marriages, and one that
wasn’t shown on stage, and had
broadway.com
many children. He grew the most
out of all four of them.
The singing group, like
any other, had its fair share of
substitutes and rejections of
members. But these four people
were the real stars that formed
the hit songs “Sherry,” “Big Girls
Don’t Cry” and “Can’t Take My
Eyes off You.”
There were tragedies and
new beginnings among all four
individuals. Before our eyes,
we watch each boy become his
own man. The extraordinary
singing, daring dancing and epic
stories that were shared made the
musical all that more real.
Before our eyes, we watch each boy
become his own man.
The extraordinary singing, daring
dancing and epic stories that were
shared made the musical
all that more real.
Arts & Entertainment
9
‘Avatar’ takes movie watchers to another planet
tBY CHALONI WALKER
“Who are they?” Are they our
friends or enemies?”
It’s the year 2154, and there
is a tribe of human beings in an
unfamiliar place. The only way
one can get to this unfamiliar
planet is to be placed into a
capsule and travel there through
one’s mind.
James Cameron, the director
of “The Terminator,” “Aliens,”
“Terminator 2: Judgment Day,”
“True Lies” and “Titanic” brings
us another blockbuster movie,
the 2009 science fiction film
“Avatar.”
It stars Sam Worthington,
Zoë Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver
and Stephen Lang. The film
takes place in the year 2154
on a fictional moon called
Polyphemus, light years from
Earth.
The storyline of the movie is
based on time in the future. It is
the year 2154, and Jake Sully,
played by Worthington, is a
former Marine who is crippled.
He was involved in the Avatar
Scientific Program.
Dr. Grace Augustine, played
by Weaver, is the mastermind
behind creating identical people
to clone the Avatars who are 10
feet tall with blue skin and long
tails.
These tall, slim figures are
built to live in the jungle that
surrounds them. Dr. Augustine
creates clones for Sully and
herself, and then they place
themselves in capsules that are
shipped from Earth to the moon
of Polyphemus.
Their interest in the moon
of Polyphemus is to deliver
and convince the Na’vi people/
Avatars to peacefully leave their
homes because Earth had interest
in their land. It was Sully’s role
to become close to the people
and to become one of them. He
wanted them to have trust in him,
and he only had a few months to
do this.
rottentomatoes.com
China welcomes orchestra teachers
tBY KAITLYN CYGAN
While some were home for
the holiday, MHS very own
orchestra teachers went to China.
Mr. John Bradford and Mrs.
Diane Kowalski stayed in China
for ten days. They went to China
with the South Shore Chamber
Orchestra. The Chinese
Governor heard their concert and
invited them.
The South Shore Chamber
played a seven concert tour. They
played at the New Year’s concert
with two Chinese singers,and
also played as an ensemble.
“I really enjoyed the youth
generation. When we would walk
by, they would always wave,
and they would interact with us.
They seem very interested about
the Western culture, and they are
very friendly,” Mrs. Kowalski
said.
They learned that good music
is worldwide and not just in one
area.
“The weather there was
pleasant, for the most part, until
we got into Beijing, China. It had
been the coldest it’s ever been in
about 50 years,” Mr. Bradford
said.
“My favorite experience there
would have to be interacting with
people and saying a few words in
Chinese and getting a response
back,” Mr. Bradford said.
Overall, both teachers said
they had a great experience there.
While there, Sully
experienced many battles with
six-legged horses, flying dragons
and other enemies. He spent time
there with the Avatars and then
returned to earth to report his
findings. He got what he hoped
for. The Avatars were beginning
to trust him, especially one in
particular named Neytiri, played
by Saldaña.
Neytiri takes him in and
teaches him the ways and
language of her people. She
influences the rest of the Avatar
people to trust him, and she falls
in love with him. Jake began to get attached to
Neytiri and her people, so it was
a challenge for him to do what
he was sent over there to do. He
began to see things through the
eyes of the Avatars. He was
trying to create peace between
the two worlds, which caused
him to be in conflict.
Enjoy dinner
and a skin show
at the Tilted Kilt
tBY PATTI ZIMMERMAN
As members of the South Shore Chamber Orchestra, MHS Orchestra
teachers Mrs. Diane Kowalski and Mr. John Bradford participated in
a seven-concert tour of China over the holiday break.
There were several
weaknesses of the movie. It was
too long and hard to follow.
Also, it showed in the beginning
how Sully was working with
the Marines to get the Avatars
to trust them, but at the end, he
betrayed the Marines for the
Avatars and made the Marines
out to be the bad guys.
The strengths of the movie
were how the movie displayed
love, loyalty and people working
together. The movie had a
fairytale storyline that made one
actually feel like they were a part
of the “Avatar” world.
“The story line was real good;
people should go see it,” Junior
Rachel Walton said.
“It was not one thing I didn’t
like about the movie. The entire
movie was great. It was one of
the best movies I have seen this
year, to be honest,” Sophomore
Antonio Foley said.
A new attraction has opened
up where once there was a
Bennigan’s.
It’s known as a modern
American, Irish, Scottish
and English sports pub. It’s
somewhat like Hooters, but it has
stepped up the sexy level.
They have their waitresses
wear micro mini plaid pattern
skirts, a bikini top that matches,
knee high white socks and a
white tiny over shirt, loosely tied
to show off their cleavage and
their lower torsos.
Their foods follow the same
concept as any other sports bar,
with wings, burgers, fries and
more.
Their audience is made up of
mainly men in college and high
school going out with the guys
for the night.
What a better place to go
to than one with half-dressed,
young, good looking girls?
But girls can go there too,
just like they go to Hooters, but
expect a little more skin with
your dinner.
The Tilted Kilt is located by
the east wing of Westfield Mall
(near the JC Penny store). 1605
Southlake Mall,
Their phone number is 219736-1977.
The ads claim Tilted Kilt to
be the “best looking sports pub
you’ve ever seen.”
Sports
10
Girls’ track enters
season young
tBY JIM WRIGHT
thejaybro@comcast.net
Last Year: “The team did
really well. At the beginning
of the year we had trouble
finding spots to put girls, but at
sectionals the girls excelled,”
Coach Jeff Fairbairn said.
Key members Lost: Rebecca
Neville, Keenisha Ferguson,
Melissa Warren, Kate Tarr
Key members for upcoming
season: Taishe Abrams (sprints),
Nakel McClinton (throwing),
Eva Foley (throwing), Ashley
Jamerson (high jump), Jazmyn
Thomas (sprints) and Shermika
Winston (sprints) and the rest of
the team of Pirates
Outlook for upcoming
season: “We need a lot of
kids to step up. We are young
both class wise and experience
wise. Hopefully the kids will
step up like last year and have a
good season,” Coach Fairbairn
said. Track practice officially
begins February 16, but until
then Coach Johnston will be in
the field house Tuesdays and
Thursday, and in the weight room
Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
“We are looking for more kids to
come out and join the team. If
anyone has any questions you
can go see any of the six coaches
in their classrooms,” Coach
Johnston said.
The following coaches can be
reached in these classrooms:
Coach Jeff Eaton: Room F
204
Coach Jeff Fairbairn: Room
IAW 102
Coach Jim Johnston: Auto
Shop
Coach Luis Lopez: Room F
219
Coach Ben Daniel: Physical
Education Locker Room
Coach Brian Past: AB 102 S
Junior Taishe Abrams runs her leg of the 4 X 4 in a meet against Lake
Central. Photo by Giolas
Boys’ track needs more
kids to join the team
Junior sprinter Rahim Conwell passes off the baton to Senior sprinter Landau Lang at a meet in the 4 X 1
race. Photo by Giolas
tBY JIM WRIGHT
thejaybro@comcast.net
Last Year: “The boys had
a great season last year. They
were sectional champions, but
the team fell short at regionals
to the Valparaiso Vikings 80-76.
Individual members went down
and competed in state. “We
were very happy that Merrillville
was represented at state by a
number of kids. It’s difficult just
to make it there, so were happy
about that,” head track coach Jim
Johnston said.
Key members for upcoming
year: Landau Lang (sprints),
Byron Ferrell (pole vaulting),
Louis Craig (high hurdles and
400), Sanchez Tate (throwing),
Kelly Wiggins (sprints) and the
rest of the team of Pirates
Key members lost: 17 key
Senior members graduated
Outlook for upcoming
season: “We are expecting a
lot considering we have a good
squad and a good group of
seniors to lead,” Coach Johnston
said. Track practice officially
begins February 16, but until
then Coach Johnston will be in
the field house Tuesdays and
Thursdays, and in the weight
room Mondays, Wednesdays
and Fridays. “We are looking
for more kids to come out and
join the team. If anyone has
any questions you can go see
any of the six coaches in their
classrooms,” Coach Johnston
said The following coaches can be
reached in these classrooms:
Coach Jeff Eaton: Room F
204
Coach Jeff Fairbairn: Room
IAW 102
Coach Johnston: Auto Shop
Coach Luis Lopez: Room F
219
Coach Brian Past: AB 102 S
Coach Ben Daniel: Physical
Education Locker Room
Sports
11
Wrestlers working for a better finish
tBY MICHAEL DICKEN
After reaching semi-state in
the tournament last year, this
year the wrestling team hopes to
go even further. With many key
wrestlers returning and some
new faces contributing, many
believe they can go even further.
“The season so far has been
good. We have lost two matches,
but overall it’s been good,”
Senior James Travis said.
Head Coach David
Maldonado considers the season
in progress as “not too bad.”
Their record is 18-2, but
Coach Maldonado talks about
improvements and getting better.
Coach Maldonado is pushing
towards an even better finish
than last year, to what seems like
an already promising year.
“Our two losses on the season
are to two very good teams.
We’re fourth in the state, but we
still are not where we need to
be,” Coach Maldonado said.
Those two losses are to
defending state champions
Crown Point, who is ranked third
in the state, and Evansville Mater
Dei, who is ranked second in the
state.
“We should have beaten
Crown Point. We had some key
matches that we just didn’t come
out on top with,” Sophomore
Kourtney Berry said. Berry
sustained a hip injury during
football, and was unknowingly
wrestling with a fractured pelvis,
and is done for the season.
“Competing against each
other everyday at practice,”
Coach Maldonado said, helps
prepare his guys for meets.
Sophomore Michael Nickson
believes there is always room for
8590 Broadway
Merrillville, IN 46410
219-736-0969 FAX 219-736-1438
Ms. Mary Wright of Horizon Bank presents Senior
Xochitl Logan with a plaque as SMSgt. Dan
Wrasman, Horizon Bank Vice President Dave
Stephenson and Ms. Sharon Row look on.
Two teachers, Ms.
Sharon Row and
SMSgt. Dan Wrasman,
nominated Xochitl
Logan for Horizon
Bank’s Student of the
Month. Both noted
Xochitl’s leadership
roles, especially in
the AFROTC since
she was a freshman.
A manager for the
football team, Logan
reads the morning
announcements
with a clever good
morning each day.
“She is remarkable in
teamwork,” Ms. Row
wrote, “and doesn’t
exhibit any behavior that
would deter from the
group’s success.”
Student of the month rules & eligibility
Students from MHS must be nominated by their teachers.
Students can be nominated more than once.
Each student receives a plaque and a chance to win
a $250 scholarship at the end of the academic school year.
Winners are selected in a random drawing
of Student of the Month winners.
improvement.
“I have to get my stamina
up so I won’t be tired when it’s
getting to the last part of the
match. Getting a good warm up
is important because it helps get
you focused,” Nickson said.
To be a successful wrestler,
one must be “focused and have a
sense of urgency,” Travis said.
The Pirates ended the regular
season in dominating fashion,
defeating the Michigan City
Wolves 68-9, and improving
their record on the regular season
to 18-2.
Sectionals are coming up, and
all are confident on how it’ll turn
out.
“As long as we come knowing
what we have to do, we can do
it,” Berry said.
“If we work hard enough, we
can go as far as we want to. It’s
a tough road in order to get to
state, but we can do it,” Nickson
said.
Travis thinks they can go as
far as their hard work takes them.
“We’ll do well. We have
improvements to make if we
want to go to state, but with
our work ethic we can make it
happen,” Travis said.
“Once we work our way to
the postseason, we’ll be fine. Our
last dual of the regular season
is a week and a half before
sectionals, which will help us
out big time with health issues,”
Coach Maldonado said.
In the past five years,
Merrillville High School
Wrestling has produced 11 state
qualifiers, three of which are
returning (Travis and fellow
seniors Zac Stevens and Anthony
Napulus).
“Our hard work,
determination and our effort
is what makes this wrestling
program so great,” Berry said.
“Our coaches push us to the
next level on a daily basis,”
Nickson said. “Without them,
we’d be nothing.”
Senior Wrestler James Travis competes in a match against Valparaiso
December 3. Travis pinned John Halloway in 57 seconds, and the
Pirates went on to defeat the Vikings 58-10. Photo by Giolas.
Boys’ basketball team
suffers one loss
tBY MICHAEL DICKEN
The boys’ basketball team is
10-1, suffering their only loss on
the season is to a state-ranked
Valparaiso squad.
With Junior Jeremiah Jones
second in the Duneland Athletic
Conference in scoring and Junior
Brandon Clark leading the DAC
in assists, there is an unsung hero
amongst the Pirates.
Senior Rico Spikes does the
little things necessary to help
make the team successful. He
averages 5.3 rebounds a game,
2.4 steals a game, and he scores,
averaging 7.7 points a game.
“The season so far has been
pretty good. I think we can
improve on offense,” Spikes
said.
Sectionals are coming up,
and Spikes has a positive view
on how the postseason will turn
out. He believes that if the team
can beat Valparaiso in sectionals,
they will win.
“Valpo is our biggest rival,
and if we can beat them in
sectionals, the rest of the teams
wouldn’t be that difficult to
beat,” Spikes said.
“We definitely can improve.
We have to stop turning the ball
over and we need to come down
with more rebounds. We play
really hard, but the mistakes
come back to haunt us in the
fourth quarter,” Spikes said.
Spikes plans on playing
basketball in college for Indiana
State.
Sports
12
Sophomore among
leaders for Pirates
tBY BRANDON NEAL
At the beginning of the 20092010 school year, Sophomore
Leonard Matthews dominated in
tennis. Now that basketball has
rolled around, the class of 2012
has been represented by another
sophomore who is shining in the
spotlight.
The varsity girls’ basketball
team has some high scoring
players, but one stands out,
particularly because she is only a
sophomore.
Her name is Raveen Murray.
She said one player that
influences her player is Diana
Taurasi.
“Diana Taurasi influences me
and inspires me to play my best
every game,” Murray said.
Murray won the Gary CityWide Elementary Championship
when she attended Ambassador
Academy in 2005. She was
born and raised in Gary, but
transferred from the Charter
School of the Dunes to Pierce
Middle School in the middle of
her eighth grade year. Murray
believes that with two years
left in her high school career
she has a lot of time to make
improvements.
The 5’6” guard is averaging
17.9 points, 2.9 assists and 2.06
steals per game after helping the
Pirates, who are ranked sixth
in the state, defeat the Hobart
Brickies 49-38.
“The team and I are coming
along very well this season. Yes,
I am the second leading scorer,
but I’m not all about scoring.
Passing and giving assists is
my top priority. Making my
teammates better and playing
good defense comes before
scoring for me. We still have
work to do even though we’re
undefeated, so we will continue
to work hard and to try to go as
far as we can,” she said.
The team remains undefeated
as they look toward to the postseason. With Murray looking to
pass, and Bryonna Davis as the
Pirate’s top scorer, the rest of the
DAC will see more of the Pirates
as the post-season approaches.
Sophomore Raveen Murray pulls up for a shot against the Munster
Mustangs December 23. Murray scored 22 in the game, and the
Pirates won 60-48. Photo by Giolas.
Gymnasts look forward to regionals
Performing her floor routine is
Senior Lisa Pozniak. Pozniak said
the end of the season presents the
biggest challenge.
tBY CHALONI WALKER
After beating Michigan
City and Lake Central, both
of whom are DAC foes, and
beating Hobart and Lowell,
the gymnastics team is looking
forward to competing in the
invitational meet at Concordia
in Fort Wayne the weekend of
Jan. 22.
The team beat Michigan City
on January 16. At the HobartLowell tri-meet, Merrillville
came away with 102, beating
Hobart by 14 points and beating
Lowell by 9 points. On January
21, the Pirates defeated the Lake
Central Indians.
“The Concordia meet is
a big meet,” Senior Diona
Milenkovski said.
“It includes the schools we
don’t see during the season,
but who we will see at the state
meet,” Milenkovski said. Her
best event is the floor, she noted.
“It’s most of the southern
schools that we don’t normally
see during the season,” Senior
Lisa Pozniak said. Pozniak said
she excels on the vault.
“In the past we’ve done very
well considering we are in the
hardest conference in the state,”
Junior Valerie Bly said.
The Concordia invite is in
Fort Wayne, Indiana. There are
12 teams their from all over the
state. The meet lasts about half
a day.
“The night before we spend
the night in a hotel so that’s
pretty fun for us girls on the
team,” Bly said.
The team is looking to
advance into the post-season
beyond last year’s finish. The
team ended their season in 2009
with a third place in regionals.
“This year will be different.
Even though we lost four good
seniors, we are practicing hard,”
Milenkovski said.
To prepare for the postseason, the team conditions for
specific events. For instance,
they do pull-ups on bars and
“we do a lot of repetition of
conditioning skills,” Milenkovski
said.
Preparing mentally is a little
different.
“We try to block out any
negative thoughts that we might
have while performing our
routines,” Milenkovski said.
The season’s end presents
the biggest challenges for the
team, as they face Valparaiso,
Chesterton, LaPorte and Portage,
all Duneland powerhouses in
gymnastics. Valparaiso won the
DAC title last year.
“The rest of the season we
are looking to increase our team
scores which will help us out in
the state competition,” Pozniak
said.
She noted that the team is
working to increase their total
score to 109 points during
regular season competitions.
“We try to score up to our
potential. We are all have
routines that fit our skill level,”
Pozniak said. “We just have to
perform them with perfection to
get the score we need.”
Bly said the freshmen on the
team have adjusted to the rigors
of the high school sport.
“The freshmen have done
really well. At first, they were
nervous, but they pulled it off.”
Bly said the team has several
good luck charms, including
their locker rooms and a teddy
bear they received at regionals.
Milenkovski said each girl
received a Transformer keychain
from their coach, Diane Roberts,
who said the chain would release
their “inner beasts.”
“The gymnasts have no
drama with each other and get
along pretty well,” Milenkovski
said.
“We are all really close and
have known each other since we
were young,” Bly said. “They’re
like a second family.”