ECHOA

PR

IL 13, 2011 / VOLU

ME 77 / IS

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AVON HIGH SCHOOL / 7575 EAST 150 SOUTH / AVON, INDIANA

Zombies become more common in today’s mediaPAGE 17

STUDENT ELECTIONSStudents elect new Executive

Board to the Student GovernmentPAGE 2

SPANISH SPEAKERS Avon creates new class for native

Spanish speakersPAGE 4

AVON PEER PALSPeer Pals leaves Best Buddies

International organizationPAGE 14

SPRING PLAYSpring play, “Once in a Blue

Moon,” premieres April 21PAGE 16

Check us out on the web:www.avonecho.com

ZOMBIES INVADE POP CULTURE

2 ECHO · APRIL 2011

NEWS

On March 19, Avon’s second annual Riley Dance Marathon fund-raiser was held by Student Government, but unlike last year, Student Government geared the Dance Marathon toward high school students rather than elementary age students.

Student Government, which oversaw planning of the Dance Marathon, made several changes. Vice President of Academic Affairs, senior Ally Gatmaitan, listed several additions to the Dance Marathon. Gatmaitan was appointed leader of the Morale Committee, one of several committees that oversaw Riley Spirit Week.

Avon completes first Riley spirit week, second marathonStudent Government’s new events raise student participation, money for Riley Children’s HospitalBY BEN BROWN “There was a bounce house, three-on-three basketball

tournament, DJ, dunk tank, male beauty pageant,” Gatmaitan said, “and most importantly, Riley kids shared their stories.”

This year’s marathon had a Mardi Gras theme and featured performers such as the jump rope team, African Diaspora and senior Mike Chung were among other performers at the Dance Marathon. These additions were all added to appeal to high school students and to provide entertainment.

There were also changes to the advertising strategies of the second annual Dance Marathon.

Junior Hannah Ray helps a child paint a balloon during the Riley Dance Marathon. In addition to the Art Club’s table, the main gym included video games, music and various activities. “[Riley] kids are so fun to work with because they are always so happy, even when they may have a serious condition,” Ray said. “They see the world differently than adults, and that’s good to be around.”

Seniors Tyler Lasky, Luke Miller, Calvin Nguyen and Zach McCormack perform an acoustic set of Justin Bieber’s song, “One Less Lonely Girl,” during the talent portion of the Mr. Oriole competition during the Dance Marathon. Mr. Oriole included a pick-up line, swimsuit and talent competition. “I loved being a part of the Mr. Oriole contest,” Nguyen said. “It was so fun...I mean, who would have ever thought that we would all be jamming to ‘One Less Lonely Girl’ by the end of the night!”

“We incorporated several different outlets of media to advertise the Dance Marathon, such as flyers, announcements and videos,” Student Government President, senior Caroline Bennett, said.

Along with new advertising, there were differences in planning, such as an increase in student involvement. About 400 students and teachers attended the Dance Marathon, and $10,263.52 was raised.

“This year’s Dance Marathon was...more successful [than last year’s],” Bennett said. “It was attended by many more students and was supported by many more local businesses and charitable organizations.”

Many students as well as teachers have personal connections to Riley Children’s Hospital. History and government teacher Erin Garland, who attended the Dance Marathon, has a connection.

“My 5-year-old niece was in Riley for three months with a rare disease,” Garland said, “and [my family and I] visited her quite often. We were amazed by what Riley does for its patients and their families.”

Freshman Kaila Davis said she also had a personal connection to Riley Children’s Hospital and went to the marathon to help support Riley.

“[I went to the Dance Marathon] because I had a cousin who had leukemia,” Davis said. “I was excited to see everybody come together for a good cause.”

Student Government hopes to continue having a Riley Dance Marathon as an annual fund-raiser as part of the changes brought to Avon in its first year.

“We decided to make the Dance Marathon an annual event because almost everyone has been touched by Riley Children’s Hospital in some way,” Gatmaitan said. “The Dance Marathon is a great way to give back and have a blast while doing it.”

AVON RAISES OVER $10,000 FOR KIDSStudents raise money for Riley Children’s Hopsital

KENTON HIPSHERSOURCE: INTERVIEW MARCH 2011$10,263.52

$1,095.98

Chipotle spirit night

Sucker sale

$200$1,300

Pen bracelets

$500

Riley themed

basketball games

$6,267.52

Dance marathon

$900

Jeans day

OLIVIA OBER OLIVIA OBER

3PAGE DESIGNER: OLIVIA OBERECHO · APRIL 2011

NEWSAvon elects new Student Government representativesBY DAVID ALLSPAW

Executive Board announced; members begin planning changes, additions for 2011-2012 school year

SAL RUSSOSOURCE: INTERVIEWS, JANUARY 2011 KRYSTAL ANDRYSOURCE: “AVON HIGH SCHOOL” ONLINE

2011-2012 Executive BoardNew Executive Branch members share thoughts on future Student Government plans

Destinee Smith

Gabi Borges

Aaron Bode

Blaire Bradshaw

Katie Sexton

Matt Elliot

Jami Dendler

“I would like to get new activities to

do that the whole student body can

participate in.”

“I want more school events

so students can come together

as one.”

“I think we can make

homecoming week bigger and better.”

“I would like to see [Student

Government] keep improving.”

“I hope to include more school

events to unite all of the student

body.”

“I want to improve things for students so school can be a more enjoyable

experience.”

“We should put more student

ideas into prom and maybe get an on campus

bookstore.”

President Vice President of Student Affairs

Vice President of Academic Affairs

Vice President of Event Planning

Treasurer Parliamentarian Secretary

As the inaugural year of Avon’s Student Government enters its final stretch, the Avon student body has already determined next year’s legislative lineup. Elections took place during the week of March 7 and determined the 2011-2012 Executive Board.

Junior Destinee Smith was elected as next year’s President of the Executive Board. She elaborated on her plans as President for next year.

“I plan to unite the student body and administration, improve student participation in spirit weeks and get students excited to come to school,” Smith said.

Smith also explained what she would like to change about Student Government.

“I would like to make the House of Representatives and the Senate [which is headed by club presidents] a bigger part of [our] decision making,” Smith said.

Junior Blaire Bradshaw, who is currently serving as Treasurer of the junior class, was elected to be next year’s Vice President of Event Planning.

Bradshaw conveyed some of Student Government’s goals for next year.

“We hope to have even more people get involved with the events we put on,” Bradshaw said. “We’re still going to do things like Riley Dance Marathon, [but we also hope to] add more exciting fund-raisers.”

Bradshaw also shared Student Government’s plans for this summer.

“We might be having another retreat like we went on last summer to Bradford Woods (a learning and outdoor education center run by Indiana University Bloomington),” Bradshaw said. “[We will work on] growing together as a team and plan events for the upcoming year.”

Assistant Principal and former Student Government sponsor Kellie Rodkey expressed her hopes for next year’s edition of Student Government.

“I hope that Student Government continues to successfully represent the voices of the student body and continues to increase communication between our growing student body,” Rodkey said.

Social Studies teacher Adam Poliskie became the new Student Government sponsor at the start of this semester and will hold that position through next year.

Poliskie feels that being the new faculty advisor is “exciting.” He described some of Student Government’s future plans.

“We plan to build on a lot of the [activities] we started this year and include more of the student body [in those activities],” Poliskie said.

Poliskie also discussed next year’s Riley Dance Marathon plans.

“We hope to make Riley Dance Marathon one of our centerpieces by making it a year-long deal,” Poliskie said. “[We also hope to] make it an all-school event and see the number of [participants] double in size, at least.”

This year, sophomores were allowed to campaign for the first time for positions on Executive Board. Sophomores Aaron Bode and Katie Sexton were the youngest candidates elected to be on next year’s Executive Board.

Bode, who was chosen as next year’s Vice President of Academic Affairs, explained his decision to run for an executive position.

“[Executive Board] is a way that I can gain experience for senior year and give different views from [students] outside of the senior class or outside of the [AALC],” Bode said. “I also feel like I have good experience; I feel like I can work with different groups of people, and I just enjoy being involved in the high school.”

Sexton, who was elected as Treasurer for next year, discussed what she hopes to accomplish on Executive Board in the future.

“I’ve got a lot a cool of ideas about things that we could do to raise money for [the Riley Dance Marathon],” Sexton said, “because it is a big [event] that the Executive Board [coordinates]. [I would also like] to be able to reach out to the student body and have a positive influence on [students and other members of the Executive Board].”

Elections for next year’s House of Representatives will take place “in the weeks following spring break,” according to Poliskie. Exact dates have not been announced yet.

4 ECHO · APRIL 2011

NEWSNew native Spanish class offeredAvon adds new Spanish class to curriculum to improve native speakers’ previous knowledge of language

Currently, native Spanish speakers are required to take the same, traditional Spanish classes as students who are newly introduced to the language. Next school year, a Language for Heritage Speakers course will be added to the world language department’s curriculum.

“The course is solely for native heritage speakers, meaning that students who either were born in another country and raised speaking another language or those who were raised here speaking both languages [can take the course],” Spanish teacher Chad Seals said.

Seals and Spanish teacher Juli Robinson designed the course to improve native or heritage speakers’ biliteracy while also focusing on the importance of biculturalism in the United States today.

“Latino identity is a huge component,” Seals said. “Since the Hispanic world is such a large place, it’s important that people from the Caribbean, for example, understand the cultures of Mexico and Central America because the cultures vary greatly depending on the region.”

Sophomore Julie Perez described the importance of knowing her native language.

“In my home, we all speak Spanish and English,” Perez said. “When I was five, before going to school, I only spoke Spanish. Now that I’ve gone to school, I know more English than Spanish, and I feel like I’m losing it. Being in a classroom with a bunch of native speakers will help with my Spanish.”

Any Latino student who can speak and understand Spanish is eligible to take the Language for Heritage Speakers I course, regardless of level.

“Differentiated instruction is going to be the key for the course,” Seals said. “We have already been discussing a plan for how we are going to group students in the

class based on level. We will have some of the native speakers who just moved here from Mexico and have been schooled in more advanced Spanish classes help those at the lower levels. The classroom would really be divided into skill level, and each group would be able to interact to help each other out.”

After taking traditional Spanish courses at Avon, sophomore Melvin Portillo decided to take the new Language for Heritage Speakers course.

“Well, this Spanish class will be more interesting and not as boring because it’s a Spanish only class,” Portillo said. “I think it will improve my Spanish a lot because I will be with a lot of native speakers and will be speaking Spanish the whole time.”

Perez agreed: “I’m bored and tired of people always asking me for the answers in my Spanish class.”

Sophomore Gaby Pelaez plans to take the course to improve her native language.

“I plan to take this class because my mom says I need extra practice on my Spanish,” Pelaez said. “When I’m at home, I mutter words, and sometimes, I don’t know what to say. My mom for sure doesn’t want me to stop speaking the language. She is terrified of that. By improving my Spanish, I hope that I can make her proud.”

Robinson and Seals also plan to incorporate literature from different Hispanic countries into the curriculum.

“It’s much like what an English course will be like for students here at Avon High School, only with Spanish and with that little cultural and identity twist to things,” Seals said.

According to Seals, the Language for Heritage Speakers class meets the needs of Avon’s growing population.

“This is a very exciting opportunity for the Latino students at Avon High School,” Seals said. “As Avon High School has become more diverse, in regards to the ethnic backgrounds of students, it is important that we take a look at changing the courses and curriculum to coincide with changing demographics.”

BY ELLIE PRICE

9271 U.S. 36Avon, IN

(317)-271-2727www.monicals.com

Pizza

Pasta

Salad

Sandwiches

MEGAN MEDELLIN

Spanish teacher Juli Robinson instructs a class on April 4. Robinson and Spanish teacher Chad Seals plan to teach the Language for Heritage Speakers I class next year. “It has been an awesome year,” Robinson said. “Every day my students are becoming more and more motivated to learn Spanish. When this happens, it puts a smile on my face. Spanish is my first language, and I get really excited when students are able to understand and hold a conversation. I am really proud of my students and the progress that they have made throughout the year.”

Language for Heritage SpeakersObjective: to increase native speakers’ proficiency and biliteracy in their native language by providing opportunities to improve reading and listening comprehension, as well as writing and grammar skills

Focus: grammar and vocabulary of the standard language; biculturalism and bilingualism in the United States today

A new Spanish class for native speakers

SOURCE: PROGRAM OF STUDIES MALLORY MANKIN

Grades: 9,10,11,12

Prerequisites: none

Language for Heritage Speakers

“Growing up in small-town Indiana, some of my fondest memories of childhood were the hours upon hours I spent at the local YMCA,” Maples said. “It provided a great resource for me to stay active throughout the winter months, and I think adding one to Avon will provide these kids with yet another option to do the same.”

5 PAGE DESIGNERS: RACHEL FISCHER & MEGAN MEDELLINECHO · APRIL 2011

NEWSAvon students welcome new YMCAStudents are given opportunity to exercise, meet new people, become healthier at new gym in AvonBY DAVID ALLSPAW

YMCA TO COME TO AVONHendricks Regional Health YMCA off of U.S. 36 opens this summer

100,000 square-foot building, constructed on • 28.8 acres of land

First fully-integrated YMCA and hospital • collaboration in Central Indiana

Also features a 10-acre public park from • Town of Avon

SAL RUSSOSOURCE: “HENDRICKS REGIONAL HEALTH” ONLINE

Offi cially named Hendricks Regional • Health YMCA

Physical and occupational therapies, cardiac rehabilitation, complete lab and x-ray services,medical practices, sports medicine, nutrition counseling and diabetes education

Hendricks Regional Health features

Wellness Center with strength and cardiovascular equipment, indoor lap swimming pool, indoor warm water therapy/recreational pool, education/community room, gymnasium, family prime time center, senior/teen center, aerobics/multi-purpose rooms, ballet, yoga, Pilates, Child Watch, indoor climbing wall, sports fi elds, chapel, locker rooms, outdoor education center and walking trails

YMCA features

Hendricks Regional Health and the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) of Greater Indianapolis are building central Indiana’s first fully-integrated YMCA and hospital collaboration along Avon’s Highway 36. The 100,000 square-foot Hendricks Regional Health YMCA will sit on 28.8 acres of land and is set to be completed this summer, according to “Hendricks Regional Health” Online.

Health and physical education teacher Thomas Maples feels that it is “important” for Avon to have its own recreational facility.

“I think [having a YMCA] is part of [Avon] becoming more of a community and not just a suburb made up of businesses that line [Highway] 36,” Maples said.

As opening day nears its date in June, YMCA officials are already making plans for programs. According to the Hendricks County Flyer, memberships have been on sale since March 1 and are being sold out of a satellite office at the Hendricks Regional Health medical building in Avon. Memberships for one adult cost $51, and memberships for two adults start at $76.

“We are so excited to be able to offer memberships already,” associate executive director for the West District YMCA, Kim Baver, said in an interview with the Hendricks County Flyer. “We are very excited to be opening soon.”

According to “Hendricks Regional Health” Online, the Hendricks Regional Health YMCA will be “a destination where people can learn, plan and take action to improve their health and quality of life.” To accomplish this, the YMCA will provide many amenities, including a Wellness Center with strength and cardiovascular equipment, swimming pools with a 78-foot-long water slide, a gymnasium, a senior/teen center, an indoor climbing wall, sports fields and a non-denominational chapel.

Sophomore Brittany Short discussed why Avon should have its own recreational facility.

“[Having a YMCA in Avon] would be good for [Avon’s] economy,” Short said, “and it would be closer for people to go to [than the Plainfield Recreation and Aquatic Center].”

Junior Mohammed Ali explained how the facility could help Avon students to live a healthy lifestyle.

“Since it has programs of healthy activities, then it could [aid students in living an active lifestyle],” Ali said. “If your friends are [participating] in [healthy activities], then you would be more likely to do them, too.”

The facility will offer not only indoor opportunites for community members to stay fit, but it will also provide a 10-acre public park at the site. The park will be part of a

larger development known as Satori Pointe, which at 122,000 square-feet, encompasses the same area in which the Hendricks Regional Health YMCA sits. According to “Hendricks Regional Health” Online, the entire development will include walking trails, outdoor sports fields, healthy eateries and living communities. In addition, Hendricks Regional Health will provide a host of health and wellness services at its integrated 55,000 square-foot hospital.

Maples feels that the resources currently available to Avon students for shedding weight and getting into shape are “endless.”

“Avon High School alone provides everything a [student] would ever need [to lose weight and get in shape] after school Monday through Friday [with the cardio room and activities in the fieldhouse],” Maples said. “Throw in Cardinal Fitness, LA Fitness and now a YMCA, and there is no excuse why Avon [students] can’t set themselves up to live very long and healthy lives.”

Maples reflected upon his early memories of playing at the YMCA in Huntington, Ind.

The new Hendricks Regional Health YMCA sits on over 28 acres of land and will include a 100,000 square-foot building. The building is currently scheduled to open in June 2011.

SARAH KENNEDY

6 ECHO · APRIL 2011

SPORTS

Avon students raise, compete horses in races, shows Purdue, Davidson, Parker share thoughts, memories of horseback riding, competitionsBY TASHA ROLLINGS

For some Avon students, their pets are both a friend and a teammate. Horseback riders share bonds with their horses, care for them, spend time with them and sometimes compete with them. Three students who own and ride horses shared their experiences.

Senior Rachel Purdue rides a Rocky Mountain horse named Bryce that is owned by a friend of her mother. She has been riding for six years, and she sees her horse about once a week.

“I have always loved animals ever since I was little,” Purdue said, “and I love taking care of them and spending time with them.”

Purdue said that she and her horse have a bond that formed when they first met. They both had recently moved on from a previous horse and owner.

“I met him because the horse I first rode was sold,” Purdue said, “and he and I were both new to each other. I was missing the other horse while he was missing his old home, so we connected that way.”

Purdue participates in charity horseback riding competitions and trail riding.

“I pay a fee that goes to the charity and then get to ride at a state park or something like that,” Purdue said.

Junior Abbygail Parker has ridden since she was eight years old. She does not own a horse of her own, but she rides horses owned by other riders. Her love of riding began when she saw horses on her grandfather’s farm.

“Having horses so conveniently close at my grandpa’s farm was what really sparked my interest,” Parker said.

Parker competes in events such as keyhole, barrels, poles and rescue race.

“[With rescue race], you run your horse down the arena, someone swings on double to the back of the saddle,” Parker said, “and they hold on while you run back.”

Parker sees horseback riding as something more than just a sport.

“I think [horseback riding] is more of a relationship,” Parker said. “I think the experience of having a relationship with a horse is the most unique experience because it’s all about trust. The horse has to trust you, and you have to trust your horse.”

Freshman Lauren Davidson leases a horse named Thunder, though she plans to buy him. She has been riding since she was six. Her interest in riding began when she received riding lessons for her birthday.

“I love him because he is a challenge to ride,” Davidson said. “His attitude is like mine.”

Davidson competes in barrel racing. It is her “favorite” activity, and she will compete in events later this year.

“I am a barrel racer,” Davidson said. “It’s a pattern of three barrels. I will be at the state fair, 4-H county fair and National Barrel Horse Association [competition].”

According to Purdue, horseback riding is “very demanding and takes a lot of time and dedication.” Riders have to care for their horses and pay attention to

them. Purdue believes specific skills, like strength and kindness, are needed to ride and own a horse.

“You have to be strong to carry everything and have good balance, too, so you don’t fall off,” Purdue said, “and you have to be caring and loving to the animals.”

Parker believes trust, among other skills, is important when it comes to working with horses.

“If you cannot trust your horse and they cannot trust you, then you will never have a good relationship,” Parker said, “but balance, some strength and lots of time are important as well.”

Davidson thinks that horseback riding is “fantastic.” Though Davidson recognizes the risks of horseback

riding, she believes the end results and the relationship outway the dangers.

“If you want to ride, you should know it is not cheap at all, it is a big risk for injury, and it takes a lot of dedication, but it is a fantastic sport,” Davidson said. “Horses are smart and fast. They always find a way into your heart. They want to please you, and they want your love. I absolutely love my horse to death.”

Senior Rachel Purdue leads her two “favorite” horses, Phoenix and Dancer, at the barn she attends for horseback riding in Mooresville, Ind. Purdue visits this farm to ride about once a week and also periodically participates in charity and trail riding. “I like riding these horses because it relieves stress,” Purdue said. “It is fun because I get to be around animals, and I love working with animals. It also takes a lot of time and dedication...but it is worth it all.”

JULIE PURDUEOn Oct. 31, junior Abbygail Parker prepares for a show with Jessica Hays from North Putnam at the Bainbridge Saddle Club. Parker and Hays dressed as Raggedy Ann, and Parker’s horse, Buster, was dressed as Raggedy Andy for a Halloween show. “My favorite thing about horseback riding is the relationship [with your horse] built to where you know what the other is thinking,” Parker said.

JENNY HAYS

I have always loved animals ever since I was little.RACHEL PURDUE, 12

7PAGE DESIGNERS: JORDAN COFFMAN & ELLIE PRICE ECHO · APRIL 2011

SPORTS

Irish dancers compete across countryCurtin, Reeves practice, aim for national, world stage dance competitions BY MALLORY MANKIN

BRIDGET CURTIN, 10

“ ”Irish dancing is my life.

For sophomore Bridget Curtin, who has been dancing since she was three, and sophomore Hannah Reeves, who has been dancing since third grade, Irish dancing has become a daily activity.

“I practice every day,” Curtin said. “My teacher always tells me that just one day of not practicing is equivalent to two days of not dancing. When that happens, skills and stamina go down the drain.”

The two dancers practice daily to achieve their goals.“My goal is to make the Nationals and the world stage

to compete,” Curtin said. “I would love the feeling of competing with the best of the best in something I love.”

Reeves shares a similar goal.“My goal is to just keep getting better and better,”

Reeves said. “I want to move to new levels and make it to Nationals and Worlds.”

Dancing presents Reeves with many opportunities.“Dance has given me friendships, self-

confidence, a talent I enjoy doing every day and a chance of traveling to new places and seeing new things,” Reeves said.

Curtin has been able to travel because of her dancing.“Dance has provided me the opportunity to dance all

around the country, from Tennessee to West Virginia to Wisconsin,” Curtin said. “Last time I was visiting my family [in Ireland], I danced at one of the events and ended up making the Irish newspaper.”

Curtin believes that Irish dancing has given her a way to connect with her cultural roots.

“Dance has provided me with the opportunity to be closer to my heritage and to find something that made me understand what it means to have a passion for something,” Curtin said.

Curtin joined an Irish dance team when time she was four, after lessons in tap and ballet. She did not begin dancing competitively until she was 11 years old.

“I started with tap and ballet,” Curtin said. “I joined an Irish dancing school in Doylestown, Pa. One year after moving here, I joined [an academy] and started competitively dancing. In those years, I danced ballet, jazz and other forms of dance, but it was so hard to leave something I loved, so I went back to Irish dancing.”

Curtin hopes to continue dancing in the future.“I hope in the future to help Liz, my teacher, teach

dance to other people,” Curtin said. “I would also love to make it to the Worlds.”

Reeves also wishes to continue dancing in the future.“I hope to stay with it through college and see what

opportunities it gives me,” Reeves said. “[I hope] to travel with Lord of the Dance one day.”

Reeves believes many people have misconceptions about Irish dancing.

“I think there are many misconceptions,” Reeves said. “People don’t understand the time, money and dedication it takes to [participate in Irish dancing]. People don’t understand what it really is until they see it. It’s life consuming. Another thing is that you don’t have to be Irish to Irish dance. It’s something anybody can do.” MEGAN MEDELLIN

Sophomore Bridget Curtin dances with her sister, Natalie Curtin, for an Irish Folk Night in the summer of 2009 in Limerick County, Ireland. “Irish dancing has taught me what it means to have a passion for something,” Curtin said.

KELLY CURTINTERESA REEVESCompetitor Caitlin Helmer and sophomore Hannah Reeves receive trophies at an Irish dancing competition on Feb. 16. “When you are Irish dancing, you feel as though you are truly alive,” Reeves said.

Avon World Drumline reaches WGI nationals

8 ECHO · APRIL 2011

SPORTS

BY ASHLEY HANCOCK

World Drumline prepares for national competition following wins at local schools, state finals

Among the activities offered by Avon’s Performing Arts program is indoor drumline, a percussion ensemble that combines drumming with marching and performing indoors.

“I love drumline because the instructors give you advice to not only make the show better but also to make you better as an individual,” freshman Andrew Ridener said.

Other students and participants in drumline, such as senior Griffin Wells, “enjoy participating in the activity.”

“My favorite part of drumline is getting to compete against so many different groups from across America,” Wells said.

The indoor drumline season began in late November, shortly after the end of the Avon Marching Black and Gold’s season, and continues into early April.

Throughout the season, the World Drumline competes in school-sponsored local competitions, in Indiana Percussion Association (IPA) state-wide competitions and in World Guard International (WGI) nationwide competitions.

“World Drumline requires hard work, dedication and determination,” sophomore Shannon Dorris said. “You can’t just join and expect to win first place just because you’re from Avon. You actually have to work for it just like you would for anything else.”

In order to compete at a world-class level, students participating in the World Drumline program are

required to attend three hour practices every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from the hours of 6-9 p.m., along with occasional after school practices on Fridays and practices before competitions on Saturdays.

“A lot of hard work and focus goes into our rehearsals,” senior Dani Garrison said, “but it’s also a lot of fun.”

Dorris expressed similar views about the rehearsal schedule and the rewards of performing.

“I love performing because it’s enjoyable,” Dorris said. “In the end, you know all the long practices were worth it.”

With the practice schedule for World Drumline requiring students to rehearse for at least nine hours per week, students participating in the activity can “have trouble managing time and other responsibilities,” according to Ridener.

“I drum a lot,” Ridener said. “It takes me awhile to finish homework, so I don’t always get enough time to do everything I need to.”

Other students, such as Wells, find different ways to manage their drumline schedule and academics.

“Even though drumline takes up most of my time, I still find the time to get homework done,” Wells said.

Dorris agreed: “Usually it’s not difficult to manage my drumline schedule and schoolwork because I can normally get all my homework done in class. However, time management becomes difficult with long assignments and projects.”

This year’s World Drumline show is titled “Any Which Way” and features music from bands such as Journey, Dave Matthews Band and Pretty Lights.

“The music this year is very relatable,” Garrison said. “It’s music that a lot of people actually listen to and will recognize when they see our performances. It helps me perform when I see people in the crowd enjoying the music we play.”

The show is centered on the concept of ambigrams. Ambigrams are words that are visually designed in a way that allows them to be read the same way forward and backward.

“I am extremely sad that this is my last year of drumline,” Wells said. “I’ve done this for the past four years of my life, and I love doing it.”

At the IPA State Championship on March 19 at Ben Davis High School, the World Drumline competed with four other drumlines and placed first in its class with a score of 89.075.

“It’s an awesome feeling to be able to defend our championship,” Garrison said. “[My favorite part of winning was] the amazing feeling from all the hard work finally paying off.”

The World Drumline season ends on April 17, when the drumline will travel to Dayton, Ohio, to compete in two competitions at the WGI World Championship, the preliminary and final competition.

“I’m excited for WGI,” Garrison said. “It’s my last year to compete, and I hope we do the best we can.”

Senior Jessie McKinney stands on top of the Lazy Susan as the World Drumline performs its show “Any Which Way” at the Indiana Percussion Association (IPA) State Finals on March 19 at Brownsburg. “Being able to be a part of something with so much talent is a very humbling experience,” McKinney said.

Junior Michael Apolaya and other World Drumline members scream following their performance at IPA State Finals. “Drumline is like nothing out there,” Apolaya said. “There is just some element of uniqueness that sets it apart from all the other activities out there. When we get it together and get on a roll, we can overcome anything.”

KRYSTAL ANDRYKRYSTAL ANDRY

ORIOLE UPDATESpring Home Games

Jan. 13: Girls’ Basketball v. Pike Jan. 15: Girls’ Basketball v. Noblesville Jan. 18: Boys’ and Girls’ Swimming v. Chatard Jan . 20: Boys’ Wrestling v. Plainfield Jan. 21: Boys’ Basketball v. Hamilton SE Jan. 22: Girls’ Basketball v. Harrison Jan. 25: Boys’ and Girls’ Swimming v. Cascade - Senior NightJan. 28: Boys’ Basketball v. Zionsville Jan. 29: Boys’ Wrestling at Sectionals

SPORTS

9PAGE DESIGNERS: SARAH KENNEDY & MALLORY MANKINECHO · MARCH 2011

ATHLETES OF THE ISSUEJesse McNealy, 11Why did you become a runner?My brother ran in middle school, so I decided to follow in his footsteps.What is your favorite thing about running cross country and track & field? [My favorite thing about running is] seeing my teammates improve. If you put in the work everyday, there is no doubt you will improve.

Brandon Alcorn, 11

What is your favorite thing about baseball?My favorite part of baseball is not having a time limit. Baseball is the only sport that moves at whatever pace the player chooses.

What is your favorite accomplishment playing baseball?[My favorite accomplishment was when] I got the game-winning hit in the Cathedral game [my]freshman year.

GRACE KELLY

SPORTS SCENES

TASHA ROLLINGS

TASHA ROLLINGS

SAL RUSSO

SAL RUSSO

April 14: Softball v. Scecina

April 14: Baseball v. Hamilton SE

April 16: Baseball @ Avon Invite

April 19: Track and Field v. Martinsville & Greencastle

April 19: Girls’ Tennis v. Zionsville

April 21: Softball v. Center Grove

April 25: Girls’ Tennis v. Hamilton

April 26: Track & Field Hendricks County Championship

FEATURE

ECHO ·APRIL 2011

BY GRACE KELLY Web Design is a two-part class designed for college-bound students or students interested in web design. Emphasis is placed on Internet usage and development styles of professional web pages, according to the Web Page Design brochure. After the successful completion of the course, students will be qualified for an entry-level position as a web page designer.

“I have the opportunity to take a class that teaches me things that I would never be able to learn on my own,” junior Mariah Stefani, who studies web design, said.

Avon students attending Area 31 classes spend part of their day at Avon to complete their core classes, and the other part of their day is spent at Ben Davis. Students are given the option of driving themselves or taking provided transportation between the two schools.

“Unlike at Avon, [Ben Davis’] parking passes cost $4 if you choose to drive,” junior Gerald Brannon, who studies residential framing in building trades, said, “and if you can’t drive, [you can] call the transportation department and tell them that a Ben Davis bus needs to pick you up. They’ll tell you when it will [arrive].”

Scheduling this year is different due to Avon’s new ABC schedule, which pushed back the beginning of the school day from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. Since the change, Avon students with classes at Area 31 have schedules that vary depending on the program they decided to study at Area 31.

“[Since Avon starts at 8 a.m.] and Ben Davis starts at 7:30 a.m., being a vocational student in the morning gives you an extra half-hour of school,” Brannon said.

According to junior Kaitlyn Ross, the Area 31 program is supposed to give students a basic knowledge of the field they are studying. Law enforcement, which is the program that Ross studies, introduces students to the field of law enforcement and criminal justice.

The program chosen takes the place of their electives for that school year. Brannon agreed that the program is helpful in teaching information for future career fields.

“If you have an idea of what you want to be, [you can] just go to the class that best fits that area of work,” Brannon said. “Then, they’ll teach you all you need to know.”

At the Area 31 Career Center at Ben Davis High School, students are given the opportunity to train for their future careers after high school.

The classes offered at Area 31 also count as dual credit for high school and college credits at colleges, such as Vincennes University, Ivy Tech, Indianapolis University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) and Purdue.

Area 31 is open to all students that attend the following schools: Avon, Tri-West, Ben Davis, Speedway, Brownsburg, Plainfield, Cascade, Mooresville, Danville, Monrovia and Decatur Central. According to Area 31’s brochure, Area 31 offers over 4,600 college credits, multiple internship opportunities, over $14,000 in scholarship money and opportunities to earn industry-recognized certifications.

Each of the courses offered meets an elective requirement for the Core 40 diploma, Core 40 with Academic Honors diploma, and the Core 40 with Technical Honors diploma, according to the Avon High School 2011-2012 Program of Studies. The courses can count toward a directive elective or as a flex credit.

According to junior Clay Hamersley, who studies computer repair and networking, when a course is completed, the students receive a certificate that helps them get a job after high school.

“[At the end of the course], I will get a certificate which will help with job hunting,” Hamersley said.

Area 31 offers classes—such as Law Enforcement, Printing, Cosmetology, Dental Assisting, Computer Repair and Network Administration, Engineering, TV Broadcasting, Tractor Trailer Driver Training and Web Design—that train students on the skills of these job fields and give them a preview of what work in that field is like.

Area 31 Career Center provides hands-on experience, training in potential occupations Career center helps Avon students prepare for future

12

Senior Kaitlin Sanders makes sure the camera is in focus while shooting Ben Davis’ daily news during her Area 31 class. Sanders plans on going into film-making after college. “The best choice for me was going to the Area 31 Career Center,” Sanders said. “I was taught skills that I need to know for my future career that I wouldn’ t have been able to learn in a regular classroom. The college credits I have received from the classes also make it worthwhile.”

ABBY SIDOR

Law & Public SafetyBusiness & Information Technology

Business Co-op, Business Technology Lab, CISCO Networking Academy, Computer Repair & Networking, Interactive Media, Marketing Co-op, Web Page Design

Education & TrainingAdvanced CTE, Cadet Teaching Co-op, Early Childhood Education, Pre-Occupations

CommunicationsRadio Broadcasting, TV Broadcasting, Printing

Health Science & Human Services

Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Dental Assisting, Health Occupations, Emergency Medical Services, Medical Assisting, Pharmacy Tech

Construction,Engineering, & Manufacturing

Advanced Manufacturing, Building Trades, Electronics, Engineering, Heating & Air, Landscape Management, Machine Tool Technology, Welding (Manufacturing Processes)

Fire Science Academy, Law Enforcement

Transportation, Distribution & Logistics

Aerospace Engineering, Automotive Service, Aviation Service, Aviation Management, Aviation Maintenance, Collision Repair, Tractor Trailer Driving

SAL RUSSOSOURCE: PROGRAM OF STUDIES

Area 31 2011 - 2012 Career Programs

Sixtieth volume of Treasure Chest undergoes changes

STUDENT & STAFF OF THE ISSUE

13PAGE DESIGNERS: MANDY PACKNETT & KRYSTAL ANDRYECHO · APRIL 2011

FEATUREBY MANDY PACKNETT

If you could switch places with anyone, who would it be?[Teacher Kyle] Meunier, so I can try to help him find a woman.

How excited are you about being in the Echo?

I’m so excited that I’m going to take the edition home, show my mom and then hang it on my wall. Plus, I’m going to make a Facebook post.

Yearbook staff adapts to new adviser, ABC block schedule, design program, full color book

Sadie Foster, 10

the year up until mid-March. The new schedule is hard to work with because even though we don’t meet on ‘A’ days, we still have to set apart part of our day to dedicate to yearbook in order to meet our time-restricted deadlines. It makes the production process harder, but it also makes us as a staff work harder to create the best book possible for our school.”

Junior Abby Sidor is a photographer on the Treasure Chest staff. Although changes such as the new design program may not directly affect the staff photographers¸ the new ABC schedule affects their duties, according to Sidor.

“I think it is harder with the new schedule to get quotes from a person because their schedules aren’t consistent every day,” Sidor said, “but Student Resource Time helps photographers get more of their work done.”

In previous years, the Treasure Chest staff has used Adobe InDesign to make the yearbook. This year, the yearbook staff is using eDesign, powered by Herff Jones, to create full-color page designs, place pictures and organize the deadlines. The eDesign program can be accessed via Internet only, unlike the traditional Adobe InDesign software.

An Internet-based design program can be accessed from anywhere and can allow for more work on the yearbook outside of the publications office. However, there have been times when eDesign has stopped functioning due to loss in Internet connection.

Sophomore Sammie Parks, a staff designer and writer, commented on eDesign and losing connection to the Internet.

The Treasure Chest, Avon High School’s yearbook, is produced every school year. The publishing of this photo-filled book began 60 years ago; however, the Treasure Chest made changes for this year’s book. Some of these changes include a new adviser, less in-class work time due to the ABC block schedule, a switch in design programs and a full color book.

English and journalism teacher Susan Hoffman was the Treasure Chest adviser for five years. However, this year, she gave the position of yearbook adviser to English teacher Erin Herr.

“During my college education, I attended Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and received my bachelor’s degree in journalism,” Herr said. “I also minored in English at the time. Then, I went back for my teaching certification. With the degree in journalism, I jumped at the opportunity. I love being the yearbook adviser this year. It is really great to get to know students outside of the classroom on a more personal level. The staff this year is incredibly creative, passionate and enthusiastic about what they’re doing.”

Herr and the entire staff had to change its production schedule and yearbook priorities due to the new ABC schedule. The school’s publications classes had to alter their set deadlines because they do not meet for class work time every day of the school week.

The changed schedule affected the co-editors-in-chief, seniors Alex Schwent and Haley Wildman, because it influenced communication and class meetings.

“One thing that has worked against us has been the ABC scheduling,” Schwent said. “We have six main ‘deathlines’ that are set by our production plant, and we have to meet those by certain dates all throughout

“eDesign has proven to have its complications,” Parks said, “but overall, designing spreads using eDesign has been a lot of fun.”

Junior Katelyn Hagen is a returning designer and writer to the Treasure Chest staff. Hagen feels as though the changes this year have affected her designing experience in yearbook class.

“eDesign is awesome because we can access it from the Internet,” Hagen said. “With this new schedule, we don’t have yearbook class every day, so it’s convenient that we can work on our spreads at home.”

MEGAN MEDELLIN

David Knueve, Social Studies Teacher

I had many friends, but getting good grades was always a top priority for me.

Were you one of the “cool” kids back in high school?

My favorite part of teaching is teaching about Europe and its history.

What is your favorite thing about teaching?

Senior Sam Ennulat, junior Bria Perry and senior Haley Wildman discuss the upcoming “deathlines” and staff organization. As editors on the Treasure Chest staff, they use eDesign on a day-to-day basis in yearbook class. “Technology is never fully reliable,” Perry said. “eDesign crashes, and it locks up sometimes when we need it the most. It’s especially bad when it crashes on our deathlines.”

MANDY PACKNETT

14 ECHO ·APRIL 2011

Avon Peer Pals reach out to resource students FEATURE

Avon Peer Pals meets once a month, and members are required to attend six meetings and six club outings and activities. There is also a $10 fee to be in the club.

Bestmann encourages all students to participate in Avon Peer Pals.

“It’s a lot of fun going to all of the events,” Bestmann said, “and you form great friendships with ‘Pals’ and ‘Peer Pals’ alike.”

According to Krucina, it takes a “special person who enjoys giving of himself to help others” to be a part of Avon Peer Pals, but participants can make a big impact.

“Everyone could use an extra friend,” Krucina said.

Pairs resource students with •general education students to form new friendships

Holds meetings in •room D113 every third Tuesday in the morning or after school in room D109

SARAH KENNEDYSOURCE: INTERVIEW MARCH 2011, “AVON PEER PALS” ONLINE

Peer Pals links students’ hands in friendship

Uses “social circles” •instead of one-on-one pairs so Pals get to know multiple people in the club instead of just a single student

Peer Pals replaces Best Buddies program

Peer Pals is planning abonfire/gamedayfor

April 16 at Danville Friends Church from 2- 4 p.m.

•

Avon’s Best Buddies club recently broke off from Best Buddies International and changed its name to Avon Peer Pals, due to differing policies between the two clubs. For example, Best Buddies requires each resource student to be paired with only one general education student, limiting participation in the club. Now, each resource student, or “Pal,” is part of a social circle with general education students, or “Peer Pals.” This means that more general education students can get involved with Avon Peer Pals. Also, Avon’s Student Government requires clubs to elect a president, while Best Buddies International wanted to select the president and monitor the participation of the general education students.

“We have the new Student Government,” club sponsor Mary Krucina said, “and some of the policies of Best Buddies didn’t mesh with those of our Student Government.”

Junior Brittney Pratt believes these changes will make the club better for all its participants.

“I think [the changes in the club] will increase the number of students who get involved because it includes everybody now,” Pratt said. “No one is left out.”

Although the club now has a few changes, its goal is the same: to form friendships between general education and resource students. The students in the club have done this by participating in activities such as the following: attending the homecoming pep rally, bowling, miniature golfing, having a Christmas party, watching movies and swimming at the Plainfield Aquatic Center. Recently, the “Pals” and “Peer Pals” met at

Chick-fil-A to spend time together and to raise money for the club through a percent night.

“[The goal of Peer Pals] is just to help socialize the [resource] kids into the community and the rest of the population here at school,” Krucina said. “The general population forgets they are here a lot of the time, and [we are trying to] integrate them more into their environment.”

Every year, the club also has a party where Peer Pals and Pals are paired. Pratt said this was her “favorite” event.

“It was fun seeing how happy and excited [the Pals] were,” Pratt said.

Freshman Kathryn Pionke, who is in the Peer Pals club, says that being a part of Avon Peer Pals has been beneficial for her and that her favorite part is that she gets to “hang out with friends.”

“I don’t really make friends that easily,” Pionke said, “but ever since I joined the club, I have made lots of friends.”

Krucina agreed that the Avon Peer Pals has created many friendships and said that now many of the “Peer Pals” sit with their “Pals” at lunch instead of sitting with their other friends.

According to club president, junior Zoe Bestmann, being paired with “Pals” has formed many “solid friendships” in the club.

“[My favorite part of Avon Peer Pals] is being friends with [my ‘Pal’],” Bestmann said. “He and I got paired up at the beginning of the year, and it has been great.”

As the president of Avon Peer Pals, Bestmann is in charge of running meetings, contacting her share of the members of the club and maintaining the club’s calendar. She also plans events, such as an upcoming picnic for the “Peer Pals,” “Pals,” and their families.

BY MIRIAM THOMAS

Conflictingpoliciescauseclub to break away from Best Buddies International group

Sophomores Shelby Brown and JD Fredbloom eat at Chick-fil-A for Peer Pals’ spirit night on March 16. Brown became treasurer after the club switched from Best Buddies to Peer Pals. “We had a really good turn-out for our Chick-fil-A night,” Brown said. “I’m so grateful to everyone who came.”

ELLIE PRICE

15PAGE DESIGNERS: DAVID ALLSPAW & ELLIE PRICEECHO · APRIL 2011

FEATURE

During the final night of competition, all 24 girls went up onto the stage and did an opening number for the audience, and then the top 12 finalists were announced. The remaining 12 girls had to do a fitness routine set to music, the eight remaining after the next cut had to perform their talents, and then the last four competitors advanced to the final round, self expression. McGee made it to the top eight but was cut before making it to the top four.

“Honestly, I’m glad I didn’t make the top four because I didn’t want to go to Nationals, which is two weeks in Alabama,” McGee said.

All of the girls at the competition vote for one competitor to win the spirit award, which is an award that is given to the girl who best represents the Distinguished Young Women program.

“I got the spirit award, which means that I, according to all the girls, was their [Distinguished Young Woman],” McGee said. “They thought that I represented [the Distinguished Young Women program] the best. They all voted on that, and that was really, really special.”

McGee said that she still keeps in touch with the girls that she met at the competition.

“You could tell that they liked her,” Pedigo said, “and she loved being there. It’s a good experience. Everybody grows in a different way, and everybody is a winner just for participating.”

BYMEGAN MEDELLIN

McGee places in top eight at statewide competition, receives spirit award

This summer, senior Kelsie McGee won Avon’s Distinguished Young Women Competition, previously known as the Avon Junior Miss Scholarship Program. McGee then advanced to the Distinguished Young Women state competition, which began on Feb. 23 in Frankfort, Ind.

“I think that they changed the name because the southern states were trying to get away from the pageant idea because it’s not pageant; it’s a scholastic program,” co-chairman of the Distinguished Young Women program at Avon, Marlys Pedigo, said.

McGee won Avon’s Distinguished Young Women competition. For the talent portion, McGee signed Taylor Swift’s song, “Love Story.”

“Kelsie and I are on the dance team together, so we have been friends for a while,” senior Haley Wildman said. “That made her winning even better because I knew it was going to someone who deserved it.”

McGee is the choreography captain of the Avon Gold Dance Team, and while she was at Frankfort for the Distinguished Young Women state competition,

McGee missed the Avon Gold Dance Team’s regional competition and senior night.

“It was really hard missing my senior night and Regionals for the dance team,” McGee said, “but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity [of going to the Distinguished Young Women competition], and I knew the team would be just fine without me.”

During the week, the 24 Distinguished Young Women contestants participated in community service activities such as reading to fourth graders and eating lunch with kindergartners and retired citizens.

“I really enjoyed doing community service with [the Distinguished Young Women program] because it gave me a chance to meet more people,” McGee said, “and it meant a lot to the kids and the elderly that I spent time with them.”

At the competition, the judges critiqued the girls in five different categories. They were judged 15 percent on fitness, 15 percent on self expression, 25 percent on talent and 20 percent on scholastics. They then had to complete an interview that was worth 25 percent of their overall score.

“I was kind of nervous at first because I thought that all the other girls would be really out for the competition [at state],” McGee said, “and I thought there was going to be a lot expected from me, but there was nothing more expected from me than to just go out and have fun.”

competes in Distinguished Young Women competition

MEGAN MEDELLIN

Kelsie McGee

Drama club performs ‘Once In A Blue Moon,’ written by club’s director

A&E

16 ECHO · APRIL 2011

Spring play marks 25 years BY JORDAN COFFMAN

Student Art Gallery

Sophomore Deborah Williamson photographed horses for Digital Photography. “I really like the composition,” teacher Dustin Allison said. “There is enough seen to get a sense of what is going on, but it still leaves things to the imagination.”

Junior Alex Rhoades created this sea monster for his 3-D song-inspired project in Ceramics II. “I like that it’s a sea monster,” Rhoades said. “I got the idea from Nic Friedman, and I found a song that mentioned a sea monster so that I could create it.”

Junior Sam Gillum drew this still life for his Drawing II class. “Sam does nice artwork and is very creative,” teacher Lindsay Frey said. “He did a nice job of capturing all the highlights on the oil cans, and he knows how to draw objects realistically.”

ASHLEY HANCOCKSTUDENTS WERE NOMINATED FOR EXCEPTIONAL ART PROJECTS

Sophomore Noelle Sercer acts concerned with her fellow cast members as they rehearse a scene from the upcoming spring play, “Once in a Blue Moon.” This year’s spring play is a comedy involving a group of actors whose production shifts from a play to a filmed play and finally to a radio show of the play. “I think attending practices can prove difficult sometimes,” Sercer said, “but I’m positive the play is going to be an awesome show.”

From April 21-23, the Avon Center Stage Performers (ACSP) will be performing “Once in a Blue Moon,” a play written and directed by theater teacher Lori Riley. This production will mark Riley’s 25th year of leading ACSP, which prompted her to write this year’s play.

“It has been 25 years of great times, wonderful growth and a great outlet for both my creative and logical sides,” Riley said. “It’s been a very rewarding experience. I get to watch students grow to discover themselves, what they are made of, what skills they have and where they can go. It’s been good for me—it’s kept me active. I’ve developed great life-long, like-minded friends.”

The play is an original script that pays homage to every production Riley has done prior to this one.

“[The play is set in] New York, 1959, at an off-off-off-Broadway theater named The Blue Moon Theatre,” Riley said. “A local writer has rented the theater and hired a community theater troupe to perform his play, which is a detective drama. He has also hired a crazy director from the Midwest. After many haunting moments in the first act, the writer decides that he is going to bring in a new director from Hollywood and also replace the two leads with two Hollywood actors and turn it into a film. It’s hilarious and scary. It has lots of layers and a great ensemble cast.”

Senior Tommy Beresky plays stage manager Joe Fitch.“Fitch is an irritable, stick-in-the-mud stage manager,”

Beresky said. “He hates community theater companies, but he runs his own theater. It’s a paradox that makes him constantly annoyed with everything and everyone. He doesn’t tolerate other people’s weirdness very well, and he doesn’t find enjoyment in anything.”

Fitch deals with Madame Quackenbush, a strange Midwestern director played by senior Aleya Lanteigne.

“Madame Quackenbush is very pompous, grandiose, frenzied, quirky, loud, theatrical and robust,” Lanteigne said. “She tries to channel the theater gods to produce her greatest play to date, ‘Playback,’ written by Raymond Chandler. She moved from the Midwest because other theater troupes could not understand her mad genius.”

When attempts to turn the script into a play fail, a Hollywood director named Vonderwagen, played by junior Rob Ellis, comes in to make a movie of the script, filmed at The Blue Moon Theatre.

“Vonderwagen is an elitist, eccentric German director,” Ellis said. “He is trying to direct a film based on ‘Playback’ and make his big break into the film world. He is clearly a foreigner and acts like it throughout the whole production.”

The scenes showing a movie will be a technical challenge for the crew, according to Riley.

“The movie will be projected in old style black and white on a special curtain at the same time as it is being acted out on the stage,” Riley said. “It will require a lot of timing and coordination from the actors.”

Over 40 people make up the cast for this production. Because of this size and scope, the play requires an assistant director to help manage the cast and the technical demands.

“I help block the show, head up character development for actors and give motivation to all of them,” assistant director Vanessa Belcher said.

In addition to standing on its own, the play pays tribute to all the plays and actors that came before it.

“As many people who have been involved in production know, theater consumes your life,” Riley said, “Not just mine, but the students involved. They committed a great deal of time, made sacrifices and came very close to each other and to me. ”

MANDY PACKNETT

17PAGE DESIGNERS: BEN BROWN & SAL RUSSOECHO · APRIL 2011

A&EZombies influence current pop cultureBY RACHEL FISCHER

SOURCE: INTERVIEWS MARCH 2011 BELLE LEBEAU

“If the school got attacked by zombies, I would get something and make a weapon out of it. Then I’d gather the survivors, kill zombies on my way out to my car and drive to the other side of Indy.”

PAIGE LANDIS, 12

“If the school was attacked by zombies, I would flee to the roof and make a final stand to save humanity.”

PARKER HAVIZA, 9

“Board up the doors, get all students weapons, and if necessary, lure them away with cafeteria food. I’m sure some portion of it is human flesh.” IAN KUZMA, 10

STUDENTS SHARE THEIR ZOMBIE SURVIVAL TECHNIQUES

Students discuss zombie presence in recent popular media, reasons behind popularity

On Oct. 2, 2009, “Zombieland” was released in America, and it is said to have started a “zombie craze,” according to “Box Office Mojo” Online.

Freshman Kimberly Roa believes zombies are heavily influencing current pop culture.

“I think [zombies] can affect society,” Roa said. “I’ve seen the ‘Twilight’ fans who actually think they are vampires and suck people’s blood. It makes me think: what would happen if zombie fans thought they were actual zombies?”

“Entertainment Weekly” Online estimates that America has produced and distributed over 90 zombie-themed movies since the release of “White Zombie” in 1932.

“Zombie movies are normally just made to be raunchy,” junior Jared Otto said. “There is rarely [a zombie movie] with any real movie quality to it, but we still watch. That’s because every now and then we want a little violence, and, overall, zombie movies tend to be hilarious. People do some really stupid things in them.”

Zombies have not only made their way on the big screen, but they also have made appearances in multiple television shows. The first zombie-themed television show, “The Walking Dead,” is a TV series that airs on AMC weekly, and it was nominated for “Best Television Series Drama” at the 2011 Golden Globes.

“I think zombies on TV shows are realistic,” Roa said. “I think something like ‘The Walking Dead’ could actually happen because you have scientists messing with diseases all the time. You could never know what will happen if you make one wrong move with a disease.”

“Call of Duty: Black Ops” was released to the public on Nov. 9, and it came with a revamped feature from “Call of Duty: World at War” called “Nazi Zombies” mode. “Nazi Zombies” mode places characters in a map where they have to eliminate all of the zombies before being defeated themselves.

“[‘Zombies] makes the game so much more fun and scarier,” senior Sara Kotarski said.

An Elementary Education Major at Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), Chelsea LeBeau, believes zombie books, video games and movies are often aimed toward the younger generations because of their different story lines from other supernatural fictions.

“I think there is a tendency in recent books and movies, especially those written for young adults, to romanticize supernatural beings like werewolves and vampires,” LeBeau said. “No matter which way you spin it, there’s really nothing romantic about zombies. They represent death and decay. Personally, I think people are attracted to zombie stories because they like to root for survivors; that, or they’re just in it for the gore.”

Some students, such as Otto, like to joke about zombie apocalypses actually happening.

“Avon should be aware and prepared for the zombie threat because of the toxic fluids [traveling

through Avon],” Otto said. “Avon is a prime spot for a zombie to attack.”

Other students are “preparing” themselves for a zombie attack.

“I don’t think zombies are going away any time soon,” Kotarski said. “They influence our daily lives. I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who hasn’t talked about a ‘zombie apocalypse.’ I think it’s hilarious that zombies are everywhere, and the fact that there are zombie survival guides makes everything even better. I’ve got my crowbar ready and everything. Bring it on, zombies; you’re going down!”

Kotarski believes students take zombie obsessions to a new level.

“I’ve seen people with zombie t-shirts and backpacks,” Kotarski said. “Those things are cool, but when people wear those things every day, it’s obsessive.”

LeBeau believes no one enjoys zombies, but yet they interest people.

“I wouldn’t say that anyone actually ‘likes’ zombies,” LeBeau said. “There are, obviously, people who like zombie movies and books, but most people would never want to be a zombie. What interests me the most is the ‘what would you do?’ aspect of it. What would you do if the world was actually overrun with zombies? How would you keep your loved ones safe? How do you begin to rebuild society? How would you even survive?”

Personally, I think people are attracted to zombie stories because they like to root for survivors; that or they’re just in it for the gore.

CHELSEA LEBEAU

OLIVIA OBER

I love crossovers. I read fanfiction, watch “Freddy vs. Jason,” listen to 8-bit remixes of classic songs and love chocolate in my peanut butter. So a game like “Marvel vs. Capcom 3” is going to get me hooked based on the premise alone: heroes and villains from the Marvel comic universe face off against protagonists and adversaries of Capcom games. As a fan of both these companies, I am happy to finally resolve the dispute over whether Spider-Man can beat up Chris Redfield. (Spider-Man totally wins.)

This is a fighting game, so gameplay goes like this: you create a team of three characters, and then you mash buttons until everything on the opposite side of the screen disappears. Okay, maybe you actually strategically plan out what moves to use when, but that is for the killjoys who hate the fun of accidentally discovering awesome combos.

A lot of the strategy comes from the team you choose. Your three characters cannot have repeats, and each can use one of three special moves to surprise your opponent.

The game has well-polished graphics that make it a cavalcade of colorful cartoon conflict, and figuring out how to build your perfect team of three is an enjoyable challenge, like Fantasy Football but with more fireballs.

If you are new to fighting games, there is an alternate, simple control scheme which makes it easier to pull off insane combos, but with less variety and the added disdain of those who play the game “hardcore” style.

However, “Marvel vs. Capcom 3” may be a little too simple. There are only four ways to play: punch a computer player in the face, punch your friend in the face, punch a random guy on the internet in the face, and practice punching people in the face. This is fine for an arcade game, but for some people, dropping $60 for four very similar game modes is a deal-breaker. Do not buy this game if you are not a fan of fighting games—wait for the price to go down. In the meantime, try punching your friend in the face in real life. It costs less.

Famous artist Andy Warhol once said, “I’m afraid that if you look at a thing long enough, it loses all of its meaning.” I will stand by Warhol on this 100 percent. Perhaps it is human nature to become bored with prolonged sameness, especially in the art community. One can only stare at the same modern art piece for so long asking, “But what could it mean?” before the meaning is of no consequence, and one can only visit the same museum so many times before the art it contains becomes routine and stale.

One thing is for certain: it is impossible to become bored with the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA). The IMA has become the most famous art museum in Indiana and is located just about a half hour trip from Avon. Its collection contains 50,000 works of art, and 100 acres of park area with outdoor art and the Oldfields-Lilly House and Gardens surround the museum itself.

Within the museum, there are at least 15 collections and multiple exhibitions that rotate every few months. The fundamental key to the IMA’s success is the fact that it is constantly growing and changing. From African Art to Modern Art to Native American Art to Textile and Fashion to American Sculpting and Painting to Ancient Art of the Mediterranean, there is always something new to explore. Within an hour, one can see painted African masks, blown glass sculptures, Japanese calligraphy, classic paintings and sculptures made out of old television sets. There is no shortage of different mediums of art, and as soon as the museum has been fully explored, there are acres upon acres of art waiting outdoors.

The IMA includes free admission, parking and Wi-Fi, which is an important asset of its success. Not only does the museum entertain and educate, but it also hosts a slew of films, classes, performances, talks and other events, making it an important art and culture center of the Indianapolis area that is, once again, perpetually in transit. Clearly, at the IMA, there is no need to worry that art might lose its meaning. There is quite simply too much to see and do to allow visitors to get bored.

Welcome to the third annual Tax Day Tea Party, where the protesters’ mission statement is “to restore limited government, fiscal responsibility and accountable representation through citizen activism and education in order to preserve the Constitution for the United States of America.” The Tax Day Tea Party is a protest that happens every year on April 15, and this will be my second year as a protester.

The protest is against the gratuitous amount of taxes implemented by the government each year, and it is meant to resemble the 1773 Boston Tea Party. The Tax Day Tea Party typically attracts Republicans and Conservatives, but it is open to anyone who is displeased with the taxes put into effect by the government. Do not be turned away if you are a Democrat or liberal.

Everyone who attends this protest is full of patriotism and passion, and it is easy to feel the spirit of the party from the moment you enter. The people that attend are citizens who adore their country. The Tax Day Tea Party is a great way to show love for America.

The people who attend this protest bear signs, flags and even tattoos containing excerpts of the Constitution or other patriotic symbols. These people are really involved in trying to persuade the American government to loosen the taxes, and I am one of those people.

Americans are always passionate about something. As an American, I feel responsible to be passionate about my country since it has shaped who I am today.

I may not have a tattoo that supports tax relief, but my spirit is still there. Protesting what I believe in is something I will always do. I encourage everyone to stand up for what they believe in and not to let anyone stand in the way.

If the Boston Tea Party did not take place in 1773, we would not have the Tax Day Tea Party today. If a few colonists could make a historical change with their beliefs, then any American today can make just as strong of a change, if not bigger.

OPINION

18 ECHO · APRIL 2011

BREAKING NEWS

MUSEWORTHY GAMERS’ ASYLUM

ROTATING REVIEW WITH RACHEL FISCHER

WITH JORDAN COFFMAN

WITH BEN BROWN I sat down to watch

the very first episode of “Jersey Shore,” and when the first person opened her mouth and began to describe what Jersey Shore is and to introduce herself, I immediately thought to myself, “Oh no, what have I gotten myself into?”

After just one episode, I was ready to quit. It was the most appalling thing I had ever seen in my life. I found myself hoping for a commercial to come on so that I would no longer have to watch this awful show. I would have preferred to watch an infomercial about laxatives rather than another second of “Jersey Shore.”

On the very first day, less than halfway into the first episode, Snooki managed to get so drunk that she did not remember what happened in the morning and was late to work because she was so hungover. She was not the only one to get drunk, either; she was just the only one to get that drunk.

Not only that, but all the members of the cast judged each other on how trashy they were. Newsflash: none of them have even a hint of sophistication, and all are equally trashy.

Case in point: according to an article on “True/Slant” Online, two members of the cast, Ronnie and Sammi, became very drunk and were arrested. Because they were so drunk, they instigated fights with the bailiffs at a New Jersey court in March 2010. I guess I was wrong; maybe they do have class. As they were driving themselves to the house at Jersey Shore, one of them said, “I’m ready to party and get out of control.” How nice.

What is most shocking, though, is the fact that people watch this show and take it seriously. The cast of this show has fans! I barely made it through one episode, so I find it kind of crazy that people sit down and watch this show regularly like it is some kind of sitcom.

Without question, the worst part of this show is the reality that people really live this lifestyle. In fact, the cast of this show lived just like they do on the show before it was filmed, just without cameras. That is embarrassing and sad. To think that people see this show, admire the cast members and their lifestyle, and then go out and live like them is a very unfortunate side effect of this obnoxious piece of work.

Marvel vs. Capcom 3

Game Review

2011 Tea PartyJersey Shore

Review

WITH OLIVIA OBER

Indianapolis Museum

of Art

19PAGE DESIGNERS: TASHA ROLLINGS & GRACE KELLY ECHO · APRIL 2011

ECHOE D I T O R I A LPost-prom creates safe party environmentEcho believes reviving post-prom would be beneficial to everyone

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFEllie Price

COPY EDITOROlivia Ober

The Echo exists as an open forum through which its readers can express concern and gain insight into local, national and international issues as they relate to Avon High School students or teens in general. The Echo holds the viewpoint that no subject is too sensitive to discuss if done so in a responsible manner. The First Amendment guarantees freedom of speech and of the press. The Echo recognizes that with this freedom comes responsibility. Journalistically, this means accurate, fair and objective coverage.A.) The purpose of the Echo is to inform, to entertain, to create interest and to evaluate.B.) The Echo does not express the views of the administration, faculty members, or the like, except in quotations or letters to the editor. The views of the Echo are not necessarily those of Avon High School students, parents, administrators or staff.C.) The Echo does not condone censorship or any policy of prior review.D.) The Echo will respond to complaints about accuracy, fairness and completeness of copy. When a report is found to be wrong or misleading, a correction will appear in the next issue of the Echo.E.) Letters to the editor are welcome provided they are signed. Under special circumstances, the Echo will withhold the names. However, the Echo will not protect the identity of the writer should a lawsuit occur. The Echo reserves the right to edit letters for libel and defamation, obscenity and copyright. The editor may also edit for length and correction of expression.F.) The Echo will be distributed in a manner to be determined by the editorial team. The Echo student subscription price will be included in book rental. G.) In the occurrence of a death of a student, faculty member or school staff personnel, a standard size obituary will run. It will be a short feature and include a photograph, if one is available. Cause of death will not be reported.

ABOUT THE ECHO

EDITORIAL STAFFADVISER

Susan Hoffman

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFSal Russo

DESIGN / ADS EDITORBelle LeBeau

PHOTO / COPY EDITORRachel Fischer

David Allspaw, Krystal Andry, Ben Brown, Jordan Coffman, Ashley Hancock,

Kenton Hipsher, Grace Kelly,Sarah Kennedy, Mallory Mankin,

Megan Medellin, Mandy Packnett,Tasha Rollings, Miriam Thomas

STAFF MEMBERS

OPINION

Prior to the 2009-2010 school year, Avon High School held a post-prom event that provided a safe party environment for students to enjoy after prom. After student interest and attendance declined, the event no longer was cost efficient, and parents did not step up to organize it again. The Echo believes that the school should begin to hold post-prom again in future years.

Post-prom was usually held a little after prom and was less of a formal event. Students would buy a post-prom ticket in addition to their prom ticket, and some students picked post-prom as an alternative to prom. The dress code was casual, so students who did not want to dress up for prom could attend post-prom instead. The same went for students that did not have a date to prom and did not want to go to prom alone or with friends. With something like post-prom, the pressure to find a date was relieved.

Post-prom was an event with guaranteed chaperones, so having an event like this available again would keep students out of trouble that may be found at a student-held party, which could have drugs or alcohol. It was also a requirement that the students stayed for the entire duration unless they had parent permission to leave, which

ensured that teens would be accounted for after prom.

The event was parent organized. When the 2008-2009 post-prom did not break even with the money earned from ticket prices and parents did not volunteer to organize the next post-prom, the tradition of post-prom stopped.

The Echo thinks that with affordable enough ticket prices to raise attendance levels and crafty enough decorations to avoid high spending, there is no reason why Avon cannot hold post-prom again. There are plenty of parents who are involved in school event planning already that could help organize this event, and with it being held at the school, there is no cost for renting a venue. There are also ways that the school or parents could hold a fund-raiser to raise money for the event.

Parents do not have to be the only organizers of this event. Students could also help with planning, decorations, food or fund-raising.

Post-prom is the ideal opportunity to give students a safe place to wind down after prom in a more casual, supervised environment. Avon should readopt this tradition to give students that opportunity.

BEHIND THE SCENES

”“[Working] the Perch has

great incentives: free coffee, a prom ticket and fun with friends.

PHOTOS: ELLIE PRICERECYCLE MEOR PASS ME TO A FRIEND

The Perch is a coffee shop located in the AALC cafeteria. Students and staff run it by cleaning and by serving food and drinks such as coffee, hot chocolate, muffins and danishes.

“I really like who I work with and the free coffee,” senior Cassidy Capps said, “but I don’t like how rude some people are and when they steal things.”

Even though the students are not paid, the students receive benefits for working.

PERCH WORKERSKELSEY SHREWSBURY, 12

PAGE DESIGN: BELLE LEBEAU

STORY: KENTON HIPSHER

“If you work the Perch for a month, you have an option of a movie pass or a free prom ticket,” senior Kelsey Shrewsbury said.

Staff also takes part in running the Perch. Assistant manager of the Perch, Linda Smith, works 45 minutes a day with the students, overseeing their work and skills.

“The students learn to work in a team setting, deal with customers and follow directions,” Smith said.