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
Evelyn Koncalovic

Evelyn Koncalovic, Deadline Manager

I’m Evelyn and i’m a junior. I am a writer and a photographer for Crier. I love to read, swim, and spend time with my friends!

All content by Evelyn Koncalovic
lovetrianglegraph

Triple the love:Review of TV shows and movies with love triangles

Evelyn Koncalovic and Hiba Aftab
September 24, 2025
NEW BEGINNINGS The School Town of Munster’s new Superintendent, Dr. Matthew Hicks, explains the district’s plans for his 5 year term. Hicks was recently elected for superintendent and took his position this past July. “There’s five strategic plan elements. The most important is continued academic growth, so that’s the one that I’m spending the most time on,” Hicks said. (Photo illustration by A. Kirk)

Taking the reins: Introducing the School Town of Munster’s new Superintendent

Evelyn Koncalovic and Josephine Zangrilli
September 24, 2025
BATTER UP Preparing for the next ball, senior Morgan Kindy watches the pitcher in batting position. At this game against Kankakee Valley, the varsity softball team won with a score of 11-1.

Standing in the hallway, senior Genesis Greenwood points to a Well Chew poster. Around the school, students can see these posters and use the scan code to access the sign up sheet. “I will be there for the whole process,” Greenwood said. “ABC all together, so I can't wait to see what it’s gonna be.”

[Photo] Walking the halls, leaving their mark: Seniors impact inside or outside the school

Lexi Villalobos, Deadline Manager
May 15, 2025
MIC'D UP Rehearsing for the upcoming show, sophomore Emma Potchen uses a fake microphone to practice her singing. This is her second year of theater. ‘‘We have been doing a lot of stuff in the choir room,” Potchen said. “Which has made it really hard to practice but we have just had to make do with what we have to get this upcoming show ready.”

Lights, Camera, Action

Evelyn Koncalovic, Photographer
April 24, 2025
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

Evelyn Koncalovic, Photographer
March 21, 2025
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

Josephine Zangrilli and Evelyn Koncalovic
March 18, 2025
GOOD MORNING MUSTANGS Doing the morning announcements, senior Ava Adam and junior Arroya Mongerie talk about important Black people in history. The BCC has been trying to spread more awareness and get the word out about Black culture, which is why they do announcements every week on Mondays and Fridays during February. “I’m most proud of the way I can get the culture out more, allowing people to be more aware of Black culture and how important it is because it’s a big part of American history,” Mongerie said.

[Photo] Empowering voices, celebrating heritage

Lexi Villalobos, Deadline Manager
February 25, 2025
The hardest challenge

The hardest challenge

Evelyn Koncalovic, Photographer
February 25, 2025
CONQUER THE COURT Competing against Hanover, senior Lia Sotiropoulos dribbles the ball down the court on offense. “We have been training really hard, conditioning and tailoring our defense to play Lake Central,” Sotiropoulos said. (Photo by Ben Schirz)

Working for the win: The girls’ basketball team prepares for sectionals on Feb. 4

Evelyn Koncalovic, Photographer
February 6, 2025
RUN THE DRILL Drilling a piece of metal, sophomore Fawwaz Shareef works on building the robot. The robotics team is in the process of building their robot for their upcoming competitions. “We do have some electrical in there with the programming team. But me, as head of engineering, I’m there to build, and I enjoy it,” Shareef said.

[Photo] Robot meets the reef: robotics team develops design for upcoming FIRST IN SHOW competition

Lexi Villalobos, Deadline Manager
February 6, 2025
AGAINST THE CLOCK Eyeing his opponent, senior Blake Trilli tries to keep the opposing team from scoring. On Dec. 6, Munster played Illiana Christian and won 52-49. “I think about stopping the ball, making sure that they don’t score and helping our team out,” Trilli said.

[Photo] Hoops, they did it again: Boys’ basketball prepares for game tomorrow vs East Chicago

Gabby Van Horne, Beat Manager
December 12, 2024
UP FOR AIR Swimming freestyle, freshman Lilly King competes in the 200 freestyle. For each event, swimmers will have a goal or focus for their race. “I focus a lot on kicking and on my turns being fast, and my breathing,” King said.

[Photo] Freshman focus: Swimmer Lilly King starts off season with a wave

Emily Dywan, Editor-in-chief
December 12, 2024
BEHIND THE LINES Holding different sauces, lunch staffers pose with the new chicken wings added to the Create line. This year the lunch room has introduced a new high-protein lunch option for students and staff.

[Photo] Food is fuel: Students utilize new additions to the weight room and protein lunches

Kylee Barnes, Page Editor
October 17, 2024
Words of the unheard

Words of the unheard

Evelyn Koncalovic, Photographer
September 26, 2024
RUN FOR IT Running, senior Cavin McNulty participates in the Rudy Skorupa at Lake Central. McNulty was running 5K for Varsity.

[Photo] Going the distance: Cross Country is set to attend New Prairie Invite Sept. 21

Josephine Zangrilli, Media Manager
September 26, 2024
EXTRA EYES Standing beside a student’s desk, Mr. Cameron Adams, math teacher, assists freshman Grace Cundiff with an in-class assignment.

[Photo] Welcome aboard: MHS introduces 12 new staff members

August 26, 2024
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