The Student News Site of Munster High School

Crier
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
THEY SEE ME ROLLIN’ Arm in the air, freshman Autumn Strode looks down the lane as her ball rolls toward the pins. Not only did Strode practice with the Munster Bowling Club, she also practiced on her own at Stardust Bowl in Dyer. “During the season, the team practices two days a week, Sunday’s and Wednesday’s this past season,” Strode said. “I practice personally about four times a week, sometimes more, depending on how much homework and studying I have during the week.”
The final pin: Munster bowling concludes their season
SPARKS FLY Trimming bolts, sophomore Carter Young uses an angle grinder on the frame of the team’s newly redesigned robot. The bolts had to be trimmed down due to being too long, a factor that would be a potential hazard. “The bolts were sticking out of the frame,” Young said. “So we had to grind them down to size to mitigate potential wire-snagging or injury.”
Changing gears: Robotics begins their competition season
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
Illustration by Damien Salahieh
Staff Opinion: Why Crier created this special issue
What does FREEDOM OF SPEECH mean to you?
What does FREEDOM OF SPEECH mean to you?
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
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
Spring cleaning: Construction updates for the spring projects
Spring cleaning: Construction updates for the spring projects
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
All content by EJ Boersma
FullerEditited

[Photo] Students want to do what? Nobody knows.

Abigail Fuller, Journalism 1
May 19, 2022
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[Photo] Passing the baton: Mr. Nolan accepts new position as principal of MHS, beginning July 1

Reena Alsakaji, Story Editor
May 19, 2022
SWINGING STRAIGHT Teeing off for the first time all week, John Linnane, senior, practices for an upcoming conference match. Boys’ Golf has been practicing at Centennial Park during the school week, working towards a conference title.

[Photo] Swinging to Conference: Boys' Golf post season approaches

May 19, 2022
RACE TO THE END ZONE Charging with the flag, Thomas Choros, senior, runs across the football field. The team was pumped for the Aug. 27 game against Hanover Central. “I couldn’t have asked for a better group of guys to play the greatest game on earth with,” Thomas Choros, senior, said.

Runner out Winding up to throw to first base, Evi Allerding, junior, makes a play to get an out against Highland in one of their conference games. The softball team won conference, ultimately defeating Lowell 9-2.

[Photo] Bouncing back into action: The girls’ take advantage of the nice weather

Lauren Hoogeveen, Page editor
May 19, 2022
wells web

[Photo] Farewell, Mr. Wells

Reena Alsakaji, Story Editor
May 18, 2022
WORK IN PROGRESS The LGI is being renovated to be a part of the media center, along with the resource room.

[Photo] Construction on the media center begins, set to end by the 2022-2023 school year

Atarah Israel, Editor-in-Chief
May 18, 2022
OPINION: Next level

OPINION: Next level

EJ Boersma, photographer
April 21, 2022
reena

[Photo] Column: “But I stand out as a fraud, an imposter.”

Reena Alsakaji, Story Editor
April 21, 2022
tacocutout

[Photo] What’s on the menu? A review of student meals

Lexi Perez, Design Chief
March 24, 2022
ColumnWEB

[Photo] Column: Similarity: the standard for sympathy

Reena Alsakaji, Story Editor
March 23, 2022
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[Photo] OPINION: success shouldn't be standardized

April 21, 2022
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[Photo] The kindness of one’s heart: students highlight everyday acts of kindness during winter gloom

Josephine Mittelberger, Business Manager
January 18, 2022
CAUTION Training students how to use the circular saw, Amelia Konstantinopoulos, senior, teaches equipment safety. Amelia has been helping Robotics members get their training certification for the Fab Lab.

[Photo] Robotics continues to use Fab Lab

December 15, 2021
PICTURE PERFECT Practicing shooting against a hard defense from Coach Jack Cundiff, Peter Moreno, senior, attempts to make a basket. Boy’s Basketball has a record of 5-0 and plays against the Bulldogs in Crown Point today at 7 p.m. “Right now we are working on one game after another,” Moreno said. “(Winning) sectionals would be a huge achievement for our team since we are considered little.”

[Photo] Boys’ basketball prepares for upcoming Highland tournament Dec. 28

Lauren Hoogeveen, Page Editor
December 16, 2021
BOOKIN’ IT Standing outside her classroom, Ms. Sarah-Anne Lanman holds all the yearbooks she’s worked on, including the 2005 Paragon on which she was editor-in-chief.

[Photo] Publications Director wins Special Recognition Yearbook Adviser

Josephine Mittelberger, Business Manager
December 16, 2021
PICTURE PERFECT Practicing shooting against a hard defense, Peter Marino, senior, attempts to make a basket. Boy’s Basketball has a record of 5-0 and plays against the Bulldogs in Crown Point today. “Right now we are working on one game after another,” Marino said. “(Winning) sectionals would be a huge achievement for our team since we are considered little.”

JUMP SHOT Leaping into the air to take a shot, Zoie Bailey, senior, seeks to score a three in a game against East Chicago on Dec. 7, winning 59 to 21. Girl’s Basketball has a record of 6-6. “We are working on learning how to play together as a team because all of our seniors from last year left and it left a big gap in the team,” Bailey said. “My hope for the season is to make it to regionals.”

[Photo] Girls’ basketball plays during the height of their season with a record of 6-6

December 14, 2021
STEPPING IT UP When papers litter the hallway, students typically walk past, not picking it up. This sense of apathy carries to other school rules deemed by the student body as "not as important."

[Photo] Would you pick up this Crier? Students question the meaning of school rules

November 12, 2021
STEPPING IT UP When papers litter the hallway, students typically walk past, not picking it up. This sense of apathy carries to other school rules deemed by the student body as "not as important."

[Photo] Would you pick up this Crier? Students question the meaning of school rules

Atarah Israel and Alison Lee
November 12, 2021
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PICTURE PERFECT Practicing on their own, Abby Silva, senior, and Amelia Buono, junior, perfect a tricky dance move in their routine. The dance team practices three to four times a week, preparing for their next competition on Dec. 18 at Kahler Middle School.

[Photo] The evolution of women in sports

Lauren Hoogeveen, Page Editor
November 12, 2021
IN THE LAB The Wanger Fabrication Lab officially opened Oct. 4, with representatives from the Department of Agriculture visiting the room for a Project Green presentation. “(For) part of the presentation we’ll definitely be going over what the school has been doing with Project Green over the last five years, but also introducing the next phase, because we’re up for recertification this year,” Mr. Mike Wells, principal, said. “The Wanger Fab Lab is part of that next phase.”

[Photo] Fabrication Lab has grand opening Oct. 4, various clubs begin to use its resources

October 28, 2021
SCORING SCREAMERS Tossing the ball into play, Piper Swope, junior, sets her teammates up for a goal. “The soccer season was probably the most family and team I’ve felt in a while,” Piper Swope, junior, said.

[Photo] Making an exit: Girls’ Soccer wraps up season with record of 6-10

Atarah Israel, Editor-in-Chief
October 28, 2021
IN THE LAB The Wanger Fabrication Lab officially opened Oct. 4, with representatives from the Department of Agriculture visiting the room for a Project Green presentation. “(For) part of the presentation we’ll definitely be going over what the school has been doing with Project Green over the last five years, but also introducing the next phase, because we’re up for recertification this year,” Mr. Mike Wells, principal, said. “The Wanger Fab Lab is part of that next phase.”

“You can’t play perfectly but you can play close to it. (At State), there’s nothing, there’s no regretting moments.” — Charlie Morton, senior

[Photo] Boys’ Tennis season concludes

Reena Alsakaji, Story Editor
October 26, 2021
A SPEED SERVE Serving the ball, Emma Miles, senior, starts off the next point.

[Photo] Making an exit: Volleyball faces unexpected loss at Regionals

October 28, 2021
HAULING AROUND Walking in the hallway, students head to their fourth hour MRT.

[Photo] Principal’s Advisory meets tonight, research begins for future possibility of block scheduling

Atarah Israel, Editor-in-Chief
October 11, 2021
GATHER ROUND Working with the yearbook staff, Ms. Sarah-Anne Lanman, publications adviser, teaches InDesign features to better their skills.

[Photo] Yearbook staff submits first deadline tonight

Reena Alsakaji
October 11, 2021
SEEKING SIDES Speaking in front of many students, Detective Mark Ashcraft and Officer Gabe Isenblatter explain law enforcement in the region to Civics Club.

[Photo] Meeting and learning about law enforcement

Alexis Perez, Design Chief
October 11, 2021
Seniors Ellie Brennan, Anushka Majety, Maddi Bell, Sana Khan, Mallika Kerallavarma, Emily Sun, Regan Newby, Rebecca Franco, Carsyn Sobczak and Robyn Dejoan pose in their nerd day costumes. “I love spirit week,” Robyn DeJoan, senior, said. “Dressing up is so fun and I love to see everyone’s creativity.”

[Photo] Waiting for a dance: students look forward to the first dance since Turnabout two years ago

Atarah Israel, Editor-in-Chief
September 16, 2021
WICKED WIN Celebrating after scoring a point, seniors Emma Miles, Marina Gronkiewicz and Grace Clark, win their game against Hobart on Sept. 9. “Despite even the score, I felt confident in us and knew we were going to pull through,” Marina Gronkiewicz, senior, said.

[Photo] Volleyball nets fierce competition

Sofia Sanchez, Page Editor
September 14, 2021
A BUSY BEE Having to run over to N155 in between meetings, Mrs. Colleen Bergren poses for a photo. Outside of work she has picked up woodworking, having made two of her own chairs.

[Photo] A new face in central office

Josephine Mittelberger, Business Manager
September 14, 2021
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