The Student News Site of Munster High School

Crier
BLOOMINGTON AT HEART The statue of Ernie Pyle sits outside the Indiana University Media School. Pyle, an IU alum, was the editor-in-chief of the IDS in 1922. His desk is located in the Media School newsroom.
Rules or censorship?: Indiana University’s student newspaper faces a print shut down
UP IN ARMS Exercising his First Amendment rights, senior Phillip Lewers crosses Ridge Road alongside fellow protesters. “That’s what the American Constitution is set up to practice against: the kings that take and get as much as they can,” Lewers said.
Taking action: MHS students attend worldwide “No Kings” protest Oct. 18 on Calumet and Ridge Road
At a glance: Club Callouts
DRAMA QUEEN In the spotlight, freshman Owen Kirk exits the stage with pizzazz. The Munster Theatre Company prepares for the very first production that they will be hosting for the 2025-2026 school year. “The new and improved auditorium is really great and provides a new and improved working space for the performing arts at MHS,” Kirk said. “I’m excited for the amazing performances that will be held here.”
Stepping back on stage: Munster Theater Company prepares for their fall production “The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon” opening on Sept. 25
CUTTING CORNERS Due to SB0001, funding for Indiana schools has been minimized by 15% according to k12drive. “My job as a principal and as a building leader is to try to make sure that you guys don’t feel that effect. But, the reality is that there’s always a consequence to decisions, right?” Nolan said.
Looking ahead: Budget cuts on a state level lead to a change of plans for the future of MHS
SHAPIN’ IT Preparing to make a new plate, senior Olivia Olivares begins to center her clay. Centering is a process that helps with the pieces’ overall quality. “Centering determines structure, like whether the walls of your pot are even and the sides are the same,” Olivares said.
At a Glance: Issue 8
Missing the monsters
Purging the pages
Purging the pages
What's on your Playlist?
What’s on your Playlist?
Annie's Last Address
Annie’s Last Address
Letter from the editor
Setting boundaries
Setting boundaries
Triple the love:Review of TV shows and movies with love triangles
Triple the love:Review of TV shows and movies with love triangles
Mint Madness: What’s the best minty ice cream available around St. Patty’s Day?
Block-must or block-bust?: Review of live-action vs. animated movies in honor of Snow White live-action coming out tomorrow
Block-must or block-bust?: Review of live-action vs. animated movies in honor of Snow White live-action coming out tomorrow
Who Let the Dogs Out?: Reviewing MHS winter athletes' previous Arnie's Dog of the Week's
Who Let the Dogs Out?: Reviewing MHS winter athletes’ previous Arnie’s Dog of the Week’s
Photo illustrations by Lexi Villalobos Original photos attributed to Ralph_PH & Justin Higuchi via Wikimedia Commons
Who deserves the spotlight?: With the 67th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Crier staffer reviews predictions
Four flavors, one year: Reviewing TikTok’s top food trends
Four flavors, one year: Reviewing TikTok’s top food trends
COMMANDING THE CROWDS Sitting off of Ridge Road, Commander Family Restaurant served customers from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. With an extensive menu ranging from breakfast items to beloved dinner items, Commanders kept their doors open for 45 years.
The end of an era: Commander Family Restaurant closes after 45 years of serving the Munster community
Say it and scroll: How social media shapes our real life identity and communication
MIC DROP Hyping up the crowd, senior student body president Annie Fuller presents at the student government charity volleyball game. “If I had to choose one legacy to leave for future leaders, I would hope they take this years positivity and excitement with them,” she said. (Photo by Josephine Zangrilli) AGAINST THE GRAIN Working the hand saw, junior Amelia Rzeznikowski trains her woodworking skill at a robotics workshop. “At the end of the day, its just building a robot with your friends,” she said. (Photo by Karla Aguilar) CUT A RUG Pointing to the crowd, senior Sam Bleza performs for dance at the basketball half-time show. (Photo by Josephine Zangrilli) SIT TIGHT Sat cross-legged, senior Anastasia Savic presents their next project to the Head Committee of robotics. (Photo by Karla Aguilar) TAKE HOME THE CROWN Holding her trophy, dance coach Elyse Skalka poses for a photo. (Photo by Ben Schirz)
Who run the world? Girls
Taking the graveyard shift
Taking the graveyard shift
Flipping to side B
Flipping to side B
A blooming passion
A blooming passion
One goal: Girls’ soccer eyes NCC title early in the season
Kicking competition: Boys' soccer prepares for a busy season
Kicking competition: Boys’ soccer prepares for a busy season
Making history: Munster's first ever official flag football team makes season debut
Making history: Munster’s first ever official flag football team makes season debut
RUN IT DOWN Holding the ball, senior Evan Dennis runs up the field to obtain more yards. Dennis was able to gain thirty-seven yards in the first half of the game. The Mustangs faced Lake Central on Aug. 22.
Friday night lights: Football kicks off their season Aug. 22
LOCKED IN Staring down the batter, senior Tyler Fuller pitched against Highland. The team won 17-6 on April 14. “I was dialed in and trying to throw as many strikes as I can,” Fuller said. “I was really just thinking about my approach to getting each batter out.”
Pitch perfect start: Baseball season underway as team takes the field again today
Victory to a tee: Boys’ varsity golf starts season with a win
AYE, AYE, CAPTAIN Poms together, junior Fayette Renwald leads a spirited chant towards the stands. As a captain, Renwald leads the team. WAHOO Hyping up the student section, sophomore Gianna Gonzalez yells out to the crowd. The cheer team attends every home football game to perform chants and routines. ON POINT Looking out on the football field, freshman Gianna Strug plays a key role on the team. Although a freshman, Strug made the varsity team. STAND STRONG Standing in front of the Pop Warner girls, junior Paige Polewski demonstrates one of the Pop Warner cheers. The varsity cheer team practiced with the girls on Sept. 9 at the middle school. (Photo by Sophia Rodriguez)
Cheer me up: Cheer team perseveres through the start of the season
Prom perfect
HENNA SPEAKS At the India fest in August, senior Suvali Giridaran does henna at a booth with a customer. The money was raised for the Carmeite home in India. “My most recent clients were at a baby shower, so I did henna there and I earned money and donated that. (Photos provided by Suvali Giridaran)
Walking the halls, leaving their mark: Seniors impact inside or outside the school
SIGHTING THE HILAL Smiling, sisters senior Junainah Ali and junior Munazzah Ali pose for a photo. Featured in the background is a string of crescent-moon lights, a widely recognized symbol of Islam. “I personally like the sense of community and unification of Ramadan. Ramadan’s about building up to the slow steps of Islam and incorporating the rules of it,” Munazzah Ali said.
From dusk to dawn
Market madness: Inside the student interest of the stock market
An emotional mirage
An emotional mirage
Backtalk: What are the best words of encouragement you have given or received?
Prom Court backtalk
Senior backtalk: what’s an important lesson you’ve learned throughout high school?
Backtalk: March 20 is International Day of Happiness, who or what makes you the happiest?
February 27th is National Retro day, what is something you would bring back and why?
If you could add an elective to the school, what would it be and why?
Issue 8 Corrections
Issue 6 Corrections
Issue 5 Corrections
Issue 3 Corrections
Issue 2 Corrections
Issue 1 Corrections
What does FREEDOM OF SPEECH mean to you?
What does FREEDOM OF SPEECH mean to you?
Love your country enough to set it right
Love your country enough to set it right
Burning Up: Munster students share their “hot takes”
Burning Up: Munster students share their “hot takes”
SNAP HAPPY Recording on a GoPro for social media, senior Sam Mellon has recently started a weekly sports podcast. “[Senior] Brendan Feeney and I have been talking about doing a sports podcast forever. We love talking about sports and we just grabbed [senior] Will Hanas and went along with it,” Mellon said.
Not one voice, but many: How students use their freedom of speech in their own ways
Redacted: Where do we go from here?
Redacted: Where do we go from here?
LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE In front of Munster High School, Aubrie Gerstenberg watches her older sister, Emilie Gerstenberg, senior, enter the school that she will attend in ten years. The sisters are twelve years apart from each other.
In 10 years: What will life look like?
Column: Before it's too late
Column: Before it’s too late
Column: When I'm older
Column: When I’m older
In the greenhouse during botany class, Anagha Narayan, junior, tends to her plant. “We’re always learning about ourselves, but we don’t have as great of an understanding about plants, so I like plants for that reason,” Anagha said.
A changing climate: Students and staff share their concerns for the next 10 years of the environment
FINAL BOW Within the next two years, the entire auditorium and lobby will be reconstructed and designed. Backstage, changes will also be made to some of the equipment that MTC uses for their productions to make them safer, such as the fly space stairs. This is currently planned to be done summer of 2025.
Building up the future: A look into upcoming construction projects, administration looks forward to next ten years of STM
Backtalk: In 10 years…
Coming of change: 233,290 minutes remaining
Coming of change: 233,290 minutes remaining
Going to school is dangerous now: 159,490 minutes remaining
Going to school is dangerous now: 159,490 minutes remaining
Operant conditioning: 11,890 minutes remaining
Operant conditioning: 11,890 minutes remaining
Working together is a success: 233,290 minutes remaining
Working together is a success: 233,290 minutes remaining
The pressure of perfectionism: 233,290 minutes remaining
The pressure of perfectionism: 233,290 minutes remaining
A lot of time to manage: 233,290 minutes remaining
A lot of time to manage: 233,290 minutes remaining
A story to tell: Personal narratives and profiles of MHS students
Finding their place: Robyn Dejoan and Alyx Salamanca Columns
Finding their place: Robyn Dejoan and Alyx Salamanca Columns
Crier staff shares their experiences as MHS students
Crier staff shares their experiences as MHS students
OPINION: "I didn't understand it was a privilege to have these things."
OPINION: “I didn’t understand it was a privilege to have these things.”
Student becomes teacher: MHS alumni-turned-teachers talk about experiences
Student becomes teacher: MHS alumni-turned-teachers talk about experiences
A sense of belonging: a feature of Charlie Mason, Kyle Farnell, and Charlie Illijevski
A sense of belonging: a feature of Charlie Mason, Kyle Farnell, and Charlie Illijevski
The Student News Site of Munster High School

Crier
The Student News Site of Munster High School

Crier
News
BLOOMINGTON AT HEART The statue of Ernie Pyle sits outside the Indiana University Media School. Pyle, an IU alum, was the editor-in-chief of the IDS in 1922. His desk is located in the Media School newsroom.
Rules or censorship?: Indiana University’s student newspaper faces a print shut down
Hiba Aftab and Andjelina Savic • October 31, 2025

Earlier this month, Indiana University’s student newspaper, the Indiana Daily Student  (IDS), has been experiencing pressure from the IU Media School, who allegedly instructed...

UP IN ARMS Exercising his First Amendment rights, senior Phillip Lewers crosses Ridge Road alongside fellow protesters. “That’s what the American Constitution is set up to practice against: the kings that take and get as much as they can,” Lewers said.
Taking action: MHS students attend worldwide “No Kings” protest Oct. 18 on Calumet and Ridge Road
Sophia Rodriguez, Head Photographer • October 31, 2025

Protesters gathered in Highland around the intersection of US 41 and Ridge Road on Oct. 18. Participants took part in the “No Kings” protest to express their opinions on President...

At a glance: Club Callouts
Andjelina Savic, Writer • September 24, 2025

Today, Sept. 12 Read & White Book Club at 3 p.m. in the Media Center Art Club at 3 p.m. in S104 Today, Sept. 12 Read & White Book Club at 3 p.m. in the Media Center Art...

Infocus
COMMANDING THE CROWDS Sitting off of Ridge Road, Commander Family Restaurant served customers from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. With an extensive menu ranging from breakfast items to beloved dinner items, Commanders kept their doors open for 45 years.
The end of an era: Commander Family Restaurant closes after 45 years of serving the Munster community
Josephine Zangrilli • October 31, 2025

Searching for a part time job and seeing a familiar name, the “Commander Family Restaurant,” senior Nicole Katona couldn’t help but feel compelled to apply. After working...

Say it and scroll: How social media shapes our real life identity and communication
Emma Starkey, Web Manager • May 7, 2025

When you get a chance, look up. Notice how many people nearby you are on their phones, scrolling or texting, or taking pictures and videos. The cell phone has become a staple of...

MIC DROP Hyping up the crowd, senior student body president Annie Fuller presents at the student government charity volleyball game. “If I had to choose one legacy to leave for future leaders, I would hope they take this years positivity and excitement with them,” she said. (Photo by Josephine Zangrilli) AGAINST THE GRAIN Working the hand saw, junior Amelia Rzeznikowski trains her woodworking skill at a robotics workshop. “At the end of the day, its just building a robot with your friends,” she said. (Photo by Karla Aguilar) CUT A RUG Pointing to the crowd, senior Sam Bleza performs for dance at the basketball half-time show. (Photo by Josephine Zangrilli) SIT TIGHT Sat cross-legged, senior Anastasia Savic presents their next project to the Head Committee of robotics. (Photo by Karla Aguilar) TAKE HOME THE CROWN Holding her trophy, dance coach Elyse Skalka poses for a photo. (Photo by Ben Schirz)
Who run the world? Girls
Emily Dywan, Editor-in-Chief • March 20, 2025

Whether it be from the studios or the laboratories, the female students and presidents of our school pose the question: How can we create a platform for the female student population...

Showcase
Sports
Kicking competition: Boys’ soccer prepares for a busy season
Editorial
Opinion
Letter from the editor
Emily Dywan, Editor-in-chief
Backtalk
Backtalk: What are the best words of encouragement you have given or received?
Column
Missing the monsters
A. Kirk, Page Editor
Student Life
AYE, AYE, CAPTAIN Poms together, junior Fayette Renwald leads a spirited chant towards the stands. As a captain, Renwald leads the team. WAHOO Hyping up the student section, sophomore Gianna Gonzalez yells out to the crowd. The cheer team attends every home football game to perform chants and routines. ON POINT Looking out on the football field, freshman Gianna Strug plays a key role on the team. Although a freshman, Strug made the varsity team. STAND STRONG Standing in front of the Pop Warner girls, junior Paige Polewski demonstrates one of the Pop Warner cheers. The varsity cheer team practiced with the girls on Sept. 9 at the middle school. (Photo by Sophia Rodriguez)
Cheer me up: Cheer team perseveres through the start of the season
Keira Allegrezza and Andjelina Savic • September 24, 2025