Issue 12, 2012.

v42.1218111 Cumberland Rd. Noblesville IN, 46060

www.mill-stream.org

2011-2012Mill Stream Staff mill streamJenna Larsoneditor-in-chief

Navar Watsonproduction editor

Ainee Jeongdesign editor

Sidney Huberbusiness manager

Jace Hodsonfeatures editor

Madi McNewopinions editor

Kendra Foleysports editor

Abraham Echarryphotography editor

Drew Musselmancirculation manager

Anna Kreutzweb master

Alejandra Coarweb editor

Brooke Dennyphotographer

Adam Reedartist/cartoonist

Sophia BorzabadiKennethia ChappleMacy CobbKeegan FischerPete FreemanCarlie JordanSkye ParksKelsey PenceAlex Shelleywriters

Krista Shieldsadviser

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Heed the advice of a seniorpage 3

Music teachers return to the middle school

page 4

Left-handers looked down upon

page 10

Staying up to speed with spring sports

page 11

18111 Cumberland Rd. Noblesville IN, 46060

Seniors name their favorite experiencesJune 1, 2012, the Noblesville High School senior class will enter NHS for the last time as students. They will graduate. But the memories that all of

the seniors have shared can never be lost. Memories from the beginning of freshmen year, all the way into the end of the senior year will always be regarded as the memories of high school. As freshmen, few would have thought that there would be fight in the cafeteria over a chicken sandwich, or that during sophomore year there would be two bomb days and that the basketball team would make it to semi-state.

Brooke [email protected]

Photos by B. DennyIllustration by A. Jeong

Story continued on page 6

05.18.2012

Throughout their last year in high school, the seniors were involved in various events from homecoming, spirit section, at-tending classes and the senior traditions of making senior cords and senior jerseys, all of which will become memories.

For me, high school is practically over. I know a lot of my fellow seniors are going through the same thing: minimal motivation in class, unbearable excitement for the future and the occasion-al pang of sheer panic that accompanies the thought of leaving home.

Caps and gowns have been distributed and now one ceremony stands be-tween the class of 2012 and independence.

I’ve pictured the mo-ment in my head so many times. The students I’ve had classes with since elemen-tary school, the kids whose birthday parties I’d gone to and the girls who used to be my best friends will all turn their tassels with me.

And then that’s it. We’ll never be in the samebuilding together again. We’ll never share classes

again. We’ll never pass each other in the hallway

again. In the visions in my head, though, I march across the

stage with all the confidence in the world, happily grasping my diploma and then heading off to college with-out looking back. Surely, after four years at NHS, I should be ready to leave. After all, high school is just so much drama. Future me will be mature and ready for a life in college. You know, with other mature people. Being mature. Drinking coffee and talking about books and stuff.

But now that mere days separate me from the big moment, I’m having major second thoughts. I mean, don’t get me wrong; I’ve looked forward to ending this school year since the first day. Summer, even. It’s just that I had always assumed that with graduation would come some profound apprecia-tion for my youth and a clear understanding of what would happen in the future.

And it hasn’t. And that scares me. I don’t have a master plan. Heck, I don’t even

have a major that I want to commit to. But the more I think about it, the more I think that’s what

I’m really supposed to be taking away from high school: that all this preparation mumbo-jumbo is just guidance depart-ment hype. I tend to have a pretty controlling

personality, and I plan things in advance as much as possible, but lately I’ve been reflecting on my years at NHS and notic-ing that my time management skills and knack for organization don’t make up the memories that linger.

Looking back, what I picture in my mind are the days when I temporarily put aside the stress of a research paper to take a walk with my sister, the nights when I stayed up too late talking on the phone and scrolling through Tumblr and the times that I took a break from reality to see my favorite band play a show in Indy.

High school hasn’t taught me to be a productive, focused student and organize my life by the hour, and it hasn’t taught me to guess at what the next day will bring.

High school has taught me that coping with stress through spontaneity can make life at least a little more bearable, and that flexibility is the key to avoiding disappointment.

Maybe high school just disguises itself as a way to better oneself academically. Its real purpose is much larger than text books and literary analyses and study groups.

In the end, I know I’m not walking away from graduation with the rest of my life figured out. And I guess that’s okay.

Maybe none of us are supposed to know what lies ahead yet.

If there’s one more thing that high school taught me, it’s that the journey matters as much as the destination, and some-

Mill Stream is published by Block 7 journalism students and distributed free of charge. The staff will publish 12 issues during the 2011-2012 school year.

Mill Stream is a student newspaper, run for students, by students. We provide a public forum to serve as an outlet for student ideas and opinions; we work as an agent for change and provide credible, objective reporting to inform, entertain, educate the reader and better serve the reader.

We welcome both signed letters to the editor and guest columns, which cannot exceed 350 words in length.

Mill Stream reserves the right to correct grammatical errors and ask for the au-thor’s assistance in editing. Mill Stream will not print letters that attack individuals or that contain obscene language. Letters may be submitted to room 505 or via www.mill-stream.org.

The staff reserves the right to reject advertisements that are political in nature, false, promote illegal substances to minors, misleading, harmful, or not in the best interest of its readers.

Mill Stream is a member of the Indiana High School Press Association.

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18111 Cumberland Rd. Noblesville IN, 46060

2 opinion Mill Stream05.18.2012

[the way we see it] Mill Stream staff editorial

Graduating without a map

In the words of famous American essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson, “You send your child to the schoolmaster, but ‘tis the schoolboys who educate him.”

Though high school teachers delight in the sharing, or cramming, of educational informa-tion into the student’s head, he or she gleans invaluable life lessons from those seated at the desks around him or her. The geographic location of India, the derivative of a constant zero and the personification of evil in the work Dante’s Inferno pale in comparison to hallway chatter, late-night text messages and bromantic rituals of masculinity. The former build scholars; the latter build citizens.

As the class of 2012 marches, gratified, for the last time through the gates of NHS this May, remarks will fly of time spent at Tailgation Nation, football games and slushy runs, for it is not so much the lesson plan, which teachers so carefully place in their school folders before the school day begins, but the lessons unplanned which students experience as they grow from freshman to senior that leave a lasting mark.

A lasting mark that can only be left by a fellow Noblesville student. According to the National Academies Press, a journal that publishes national research from

academies of science, health and engineering, schools cannot achieve the high levels of engage-ment and standards for learning asked of them by themselves. According to Diane Ravitch of the NAP, “The battleship, the school, cannot do this alone. The rest of the educational flotilla must assist.”

The Mill Stream staff believes that this educational flotilla is comprised largely of student peers encouraging positive growth. We believe that as seniors leave Noblesville to seek out post-educational plans, a small part of their “schoolboy” spirit will remain hidden in the halls of NHS.

As freshmen turn sophomores and juniors matriculate to seniors, bits and pieces of this school spirit is borrowed, gleaned from those who have been shaped by the camaraderie of their classmates. For it is through the example set by NHS graduates that freshmen in chrysalis reach full maturation and float out of NHS turned butterfly.

While teachers and staff preach academia, students share moral values and sculpt within each other the attitude of a citizen. This citizenship is cultivated on the sidewalks of four years of public education, while teachers and administrators steer students down the street itself. As the class of 2012 matriculates, their journey down the street will have been one of great knowledge, while their journey down the sidewalk will have shaped within them the attitude of a citizen.

Illustration by A. Echarry

Jenna [email protected]

3opinionMill Stream05.18.2012

Listen up, juniors! Well, sophomores and freshmen can listen too, or clip this out and tack it to the fridge for future notice.

There are plenty of things that I wish someone had told me when I was starting out my senior year. Maybe they even did tell me, and I just didn’t listen. But several things are imperative to do (and do at the right time) if looking for a college career. They’ll save much hassle, stress, and frustration—I know from personal experience.

Apply for FAFSA. Okay, even if it may not seem like qualification for financial aid is an option, it’s worth trying. FAFSA hooks up students with grants and low-interest loans to help pay for college, and it can provide substantial aid if qualifications are met. Financial aid can also be subject to change at any moment, so apply just in case.

Pick a school that has the majors/areas of study of personal interest. Selecting a col-lege is a crazy process. The sheer number of choices is absolutely mind-boggling. It’s easy to try and pick out a college based on its atmosphere (Ball State because rumor says it’s a party school, or Johnson Bible College because it has a basis on Christianity), but don’t let that be the only factor that influences the decision. The college that’s right should have the areas of study that are of personal interest, first and foremost.

Apply early. It comes with surprising perks. Some colleges waive the application fees if applicants send in their applications early enough, and some even waive the essay require-ment! Plus, it’s always nice to get an early acceptance and the nifty, official acceptance cer-

tificate (as well as the sense of security) that comes with it.Apply to many. It’s impossible to stress this enough! It might

seem like the best college is only the most elite, Ivy League, expen-sive, or out-of-state one, but sometimes issues do come up. Several friends of mine have had to change their college last minute due to finances or other problems. So always have several back-up schools ready. Who knows, preferences may even change!

Apply for as many scholarships as possible. Don’t put it off. Do it now. Maybe it may seem like eligibility isn’t possible, but there are scholarships out there for practically anything! Part American Indian? Donated blood a couple times? Play an instrument? Schol-arships are available for all those things, and many, many more. Find a good scholarship website like Fastweb, which will match

you to scholarships, and make sure you check the guidance offices often. Scholarships take a load off the shoulders of the college-goer’s back!

Taking these tips will ease some of the weight off seniors’ shoulders. Senior year is busy enough without all the college stress, and trust me—the last year of high school will be much more enjoyable without it!

“What seems to us as bitter trials are often blessings in disguise.” – Oscar Wilde

Disclaimer: This column is cliché, cheesy, corny, senti-mental, and kind of overly emotional. But it’s all the truth.

High school. Two words. Ten letters. And four life-changing years of trials, blessings, and blessings disguised as trials.

My name is Ainee. I am graduating in a couple of weeks with the class of 2012. You’ve probably seen my name in each issue of this newspaper for the past two years or heard it mispronounced by multiple substitute teachers (it’s pro-nounced like “eye” and “knee” put together, by the way).

Like all high school students, I’m sure, my high school experiences included probably some of the biggest hard-ships as well as some of the best moments of my life. High school, or more specifically, Noblesville, has shaped me as an individual.

As the year – and my grade school career – comes to a close, I can’t help but want to reflect upon and count some blessings:

1. The freshman campus. Yes, I understand that many students may have disliked

the freshman campus, but for a new student who had never gone to a Noblesville school before, the freshman campus provided a way for me to get to know just my fellow class-of-2012-mates.

2. Block schedule.Two nights to do homework probably saved my life. And

grades.3. Independent AL.Enough said.4. Senior cords.I have not yet heard of an-

other school who has this tra-dition, which I think is awe-some.

5. The flags in the cafete-ria.

I think the flags in the cafe-teria are a wonderful reminder of the diversity present in our

school. I’m also thankful that I had the opportunity to ask for my nationality’s flag to be displayed too – South Korea!

6. The teachers.As an elementary school kid, I remember how my teach-

ers had been some of my favorite people. Then as I grew into middle school, I remember how my concern with in-dependence overshadowed their efforts. And now in high school, with a more mature understanding of people, they have become individuals whom I admire and revere.

7. The eventsWhether everyone is dressed up and “beautified” for

prom or in silly Homecoming week attire, or whether the whole auditorium laughs during the same FNL perfor-mance or chants in unison during a game, I’ve always loved how school events promote unity.

8. Orchestra.Orchestra and music have remained a constant in my

life, especially at school. Many schools have done away with their arts departments, and the first to go are usually the string instruments. This makes me ever more thankful.

9. Mill Stream.I joined Mill Stream, not really knowing what I was get-

ting into. All I had wanted to do was write, and I got a life-long passion instead. Mill Stream has opened my mind and heart, and my time on staff has helped me have a clearer vision of what I want to see in my future: journalism.

10. You.You may have passed me in the halls. You may have sat

next to me in a class, or two. You may have stood behind me in the lunch line. You may be a close friend of mine or you may not know of my existence at all.

Nevertheless, thank you.I believe that every individual of this student body has

affected my time here in Noblesville somehow. I started out here as “the new kid” my freshman year after living in Georgia for thirteen years. But I am now preparing to leave as a proud Miller.

My name is Ainee. I am graduating in a couple of weeks with the class of 2012. If I really did count all my blessings, I would probably need a whole 16-page issue of the Mill Stream to myself. But I’ll just leave you with these ten. And with that, Noblesville, so long, farewell, Aufwiedersehen, good night.

Counting my blessings before I say “goodnight”

Take these tips, and breathe just a little bit easier

Jace [email protected]

Ainee [email protected]

“I know I’m not perfect,” First Christian Church Pastor John Davis said. “Sometimes, I’m not even that good.”

When my preacher said this in the middle of his sermon one Sunday morning, my mind raced off. No one is perfect, but if you really think about it and evaluate people based on their everyday actions, most people aren’t even that great.

Why do people judge each other? It’s such a hypocritical thing to do. I’m not saying that I’m blameless, but it really is such a shame that no one can walk down a hallway without subconsciously judging each person that walks by.

It’s usually not good judgments, either. But why do we have to be so mean, even in our heads? I’ve noticed major drama and “scandals” this year that have never been apparent before. I’ve heard rumors that I thought no one would ever believe, but seem to be all that anyone cares to know about.

Junior year has proved to be the hardest academically, but it’s also proving to be the hardest socially as well. As this year is drawing to a close, I can’t help but reflect. The Mill Stream has covered some pretty heavy topics: pregnancy, smoking, drinking and cutting. While we try to take a professional approach when we tackle these subjects, I’ve heard what

people say about students who deal with these firsthand.Many students out there are supportive of friends who struggle with heavy issues, but

others bail on those friends when things get hard. I have some pretty great friends, but I can’t help but wonder if they’d help me get back on track, or simply walk away and gossip about me if I made a bad decision. I’d like to think that it’d be the former.

There have been days recently when I’ve wanted to fill out the form to request to gradu-ate a semester early more than ever. I picture in my head sunny days free of the judgmental eyes of students. The only thing that really keeps me tethered down is the Mill Stream.

I know that not everyone reads the paper. I don’t care if people think it’s lame, because I know that it’s not. I know how much this paper means to some people, and I know that it means the world to me. The Mill Stream staff is a family, and I know they’d stick by my side. Next year, the juniors will be stepping up and running the paper, and I know that we will continue the community atmosphere we have going. It’s a judge-free zone.

So for one more year, I will walk the hallways and smile, knowing that some ugly thoughts are running through some heads, directed at me. But I hold my head high, know-ing that I will be moving on soon enough. I encourage everyone to try not to judge others, even though I know that’s a futile battle.

Just remember as you are walking the halls thinking how ugly a girl’s outfit is, that she is probably thinking the exact same thing about your outfit.

Blind eyes can see no imperfections

Madi [email protected]

4 features Mill Stream05.18.2012

Music teachers change their tuneAlejandra [email protected]

From those who are just starting their journey through high school to the ones who fin-ished many years ago, a few select teachers have become something of a staple at the main campus, even through years of the staff changes and building construction. Two teachers in particular, band director Stacey White and orchestra director Elizabeth Jackson, have taught for over fifteen years, and for the 2012-2013 school year, these two faculty members will retire from their positions at the high school and move on to teach at the new middle school.

“Since our school system is exploding with growth, it has been decided to open two middle schools,” Mrs. Jackson said. “Our administration would like to have a Band, Choir & Orchestra director at each building and eliminate the traveling. I was told by our Dept. Head that we needed to choose which school we would like to be assigned to for the 2012-2013 school year.”

While both directors agreed that the change would be difficult and they would miss their long-time students, Mrs. Jackson explains that the decision remained a purely per-sonal choice.

“I love my job and all of my students,” Mrs. Jackson said. “How can you choose? [But] if I had chosen to stay at NHS, there would not have been enough classes for me to have a full-time position.”

Mr. White’s final decision was made through his family as well. At the band awards ban-quet held on May 11, Mr. White explained that it was becoming difficult for him to balance his time with the different bands, as well as be active in his son’s activities.

“I made my decision after having a family meeting with my wife and son,” Mr. White said.

While both teachers had their own reasons for moving from the high school to the new middle school, the students that they will leave behind say they are less than ecstatic about their departure.

“Mr. White has been my band director for six years, and I’m going to cry when he leaves,” junior Larissa Bell said. “The things I will most remember are all of marching band; I re-member once during band camp that it started raining right in the middle of drill. We ran our show in the pouring rain and it was the best run through we’ve had.”

Jackson’s students will also have fond memories of their orchestra director, according to sophomore Natalie Driesens.

“Mrs. Jackson has always made me want to try that much harder when I play my instru-ment, and I don’t think anyone will be able to truly replace her,” Driesens said.

With the departure of Mr. and Mrs. White and Mrs. Jackson, their positions will fall to assistant band director Bethany Robinson, as well as guitar teacher and assistant orchestra director David Hartman, who both agree that their directors’ departures will be a dramatic change.

“I have worked with Mr. White for six years, and while I’m excited that he will have more time with his family, and that the sixth grade will finally have a full-time band direc-tor on hand all day for the first time in Noblesville’s history, I will miss him,” Miss Robin-son said.

Mr. Hartman also notes that there are things he will miss about Mrs. Jackson, but is also looking forward to the changes he plans to make as orchestra director.

“There won’t be many changes for me personally, aside from going to the freshman campus to teach instead of helping out with the sixth graders,” Mr. Hartman said. “For the students, I hope to start planning out a chamber orchestra, as well as a ‘rockestra’ group with electric violins and put more emphasis on solos and ensembles.”

While both Miss Robinson and Mr. Hartman are looking forward to taking on their positions, they both mourn the loss of a co-worker and friend.

“[Mrs. Jackson] can make everyone laugh, and I will miss that about her,” Hartman said.

Miss Robinson shares his sentiments.“Change is always hard,” Miss Robinson said “but it’s been an incredible time [working

together] as a team, and I couldn’t be more grateful to be his assistant.”

New school prepares for new opportunities Kelsey [email protected]

July 5, 2011: Promise Road Con-struction began.

Opening in August of 2012, Promise Road Elementary is jumping over construction hurdles to finish in time for the upcoming school year. Promise Road and its’ new principal, Kelly Treinen, will host students in grades kindergarten through fifth. For sophomores, Lauren Weigel and Sydney Studebaker, it poses a positive and negative effect on each of them.

“For me, the child I mentor at Stony Creek will be moving to Promise Road, which means more traveling for me,” Studebaker said. Even though a new school means more traffic and staff, Weigel finds herslf believing Promise Road will enhance education and benefits for more students.“By there not being so many students crammed in the other schools, more kids will get more hands-on learning experiences,”Weigel said. “I think it will affect the elementary school-

ers though. They will be forced to make new friends, and whether that be a good or bad thing is up to them.”According to Stony Creek Elementary’s counselor, Mrs. Megan Pritchard, it will take time for students to adjust; however, she has heard many students talking about their eager-

ness. “I have heard students talking about how they will be working together for problem solving days and also how they will use new technology,” Pritchard said. With new technology, new students and new staff member, Promise Road should be opening its’ doors for students in the fall of 2012-right in time for the new school year.

“I know that with any change, it takes time to adjust and learn a new routine. It seems to me that Noblesville staff are working together to make the opening of Promise Road a great success!” Pritchard said.

With the official closing of Forest Hill, the addition of Promise Road makes a total of six elementary schools in the Noblesville School district. The addition of a new school gives both teachers and students opportunities to expand and focus on personalized hands-on learn-ing.

Illustration by K. Pence

2012 Film FestivalClassic Movies at Forest Park

Classic Movies from the 30’s, 40’s, 50’s & 60’s

Every Friday at Forest Park in June & July at Shelter 1

Free classic movies, games & activities

Music from local teen bands

For more info visit www.ClassicMovieEvents.com

Aug. 15, 2011: Steel work was com-pleted.

Jan. 12, 2012: Final roof-ing was put on.

April 15, 2012: Last of drywall was put up.

June 20, 2012: “Punch list” will be created.

July 25, 2012: The drainage hearing will take place.

5advertisementMill Stream05.18.201212 caboose Mill Stream

09.03.2007

Senioritis: the common disease of high school students and a GPA killer. While many students fall prey to the awful malady, some, like Senior Mary Christy, seem immune.

Christy’s academic strength was proved Wednesday May 9, when she received multiple awards and scholarships on Honor Night.

“The three things that make her stand out are: 1. She does everything asked of her, 2. She asks a lot of questions and is always verbally engaged, and 3. She is a fantastic writer,” social studies teacher Mr. Eric Gundersen said.

Along with her Trustees’ Scholarship from Purdue, Christy has a full ride to get her through college and into the medical profession of her choice: allergist.

“I just recently narrowed it down,” Christy said. “I have a severe nut allergy, and it would be nice to be able to reassure kids like me that you can still have a normal life.”

While at Purdue, Christy is going to continue her studying habits at the Honors College. Currently, Christy is taking six AP and ACP classes.

“[Christy] works very hard even in the stuff I know she doesn’t want to do, which is a skill I should learn, myself,” science teacher Mr. Forrest Hurst said.

Her biggest motivation for all of her diligent efforts is her father.

(continued from cover)Reflecting on their high school experiences, the class of 2012 would like to tell about their favorite memories from high

school. One of the Moodle modules that had to be filled out by seniors participating in independent academic lab asked the seniors to “make a list of their top ten NHS experiences that all incoming freshmen must do before they graduate from NHS.” After compiling approximately one hundred seniors responses, the top 10 experiences are:

1. “Be a part of the student section and participate- it is Noblesville, it’s what we do.”- senior Eliot Barnes.2. “Go to Prom. Just swallow your pride and your fear of public dancing and go.” –senior Tyler Zerbe.3. “Go all out during homecoming week. Noblesville’s homecoming week is a tradition and we do a lot of things that other

schools don’t. Appreciate the history and get involved.” –senior Lauren Schooley.4. Befriend the people in your classes too, even if they’re not in your grade. You never know who will become your good

friends.” –senior Taylor Thompson.5. “Be a part of team/club! Take part in anything and everything. Participating in clubs and teams are a great way to meet

new people, people that you may never have thought you would have anything in common with.” –senior Lauren Moss.6. “Try your best in all of your classes all the time. It is easier to maintain a good grade than to stress at the end of the semes-

ter and try to bring a grade up.” -senior Gwen Runningen.7. “Attend Mr. Noblesville and FNL. You definitely cannot pass up an opportunity to watch your teachers and classmates

embarrass themselves on stage.” –senior Brock Hammond.8. “Find a teacher you’re practically in love with. Seriously, there will be a least one, if not a few, teachers at NHS that will

explain things in a way you perfectly understand, that you will respect and want to keep in contact with. The only way you’ll find this teacher is by, GASP, actually talking to your teachers. You know, like they’re human beings too, or something.” –senior Maris Feely.

9. “Never take one day for granted because people were telling me freshman year that high school would fly by and I never believed them. Seems like just yesterday they were telling me that, funny how that works. There is not one thing I can complain about. I loved every minute of my high school career. I have met the best people, had some awesome teachers, and made the

Joining a team was an experience that seniors said was important. For seniors Daniel Pur-vlicis and Neil Dotson the basket-ball team took up many dedi-cated hours of their high school life.

6 the focus 05.18.2012.

Staff says goodnight, and good luckEvery year in August, a new senior class begins the school year, and come May, they are nothing more and noth-

ing less than graduates of Noblesville High School. It’s no revelation and on paper the transition seems ordinary. Yet here on the Mill Stream, the senior staff members are anything but ordinary.

The newspaper means more than a ninety-minute block every other day; it’s more than an instructor lecturing a handful of pupils. The staff is made up of individuals coming together and expressing themselves without judg-ment. Friendships are made and life lessons are learned. Endless hours are spent in the newsroom discussing issues and shaping opinions. Laughter is continuously heard even on the most stressful of deadline days.

The Mill Stream seniors have spent multiple years on staff together, and they’ve all grown and accomplished unbelievable goals that have now led to

scholarships and various awards.The Mill Stream is more than a

block because it’s also a family, an anchor for harder days.

While the seniors depart on their respective journeys, their faces will be missed and always remembered with affection; as CBS journalist Edward R. Murrow said, “good-night, and good luck.”



Photos provided by J. Larson, B. Denny, J. Hodson, N. Watson, A. Coar, A. Jeong, A. EcharryAinee Jeong, Design Editor

Ale Coar, Web Editor

Navar Watson, Productions Editor

Jace

Hod

son,

Fea

ture

s Edi

tor

Brooke Denny, Photographer

Jenna Larson, Editor-in-Chief

He walks among us everyday with a barrage of musi-cal talent and a pretty interesting background, and yet his story is relatively untold. His name is Devin Hinnant, and he’s pretty hard to miss with his continual tapping in class, which he refers to as “Drum Disease” and his hair that he says he only straightens because he wants to. Hinnant was born in Washington DC, and after a se-ries of events, he was placed into foster care. Since being put into foster care, Hinnant has gone to a different high school every year since his freshman year going to HSE, South Port, John Marshall, and Noblesville twice.

Throughout the moving and changing of homes Hin-nant says that his plans after high school consist of “mov-ing out” and “living a little.”

“I’ve always wanted to get out, I guess foster care kind

Adam [email protected]

Senior Devin Hinnant is revealed

Abe Echarry, Photo Editor

Senior seeks scholarships

Photo by B. Denny

Senioritis: the common disease of high school students and a GPA killer. While many students fall prey to the awful malady, some, like Senior Mary Christy, seem immune.

Christy’s academic strength was proved Wednesday May 9, when she received multiple awards and scholarships on Honor Night.

“The three things that make her stand out are: 1. She does everything asked of her, 2. She asks a lot of questions and is always verbally engaged, and 3. She is a fantastic writer,” social studies teacher Mr. Eric Gundersen said.

Along with her Trustees’ Scholarship from Purdue, Christy has a full ride to get her through college and into the medical profession of her choice: allergist.

“I just recently narrowed it down,” Christy said. “I have a severe nut allergy, and it would be nice to be able to reassure kids like me that you can still have a normal life.”

While at Purdue, Christy is going to continue her studying habits at the Honors College. Currently, Christy is taking six AP and ACP classes.

“[Christy] works very hard even in the stuff I know she doesn’t want to do, which is a skill I should learn, myself,” science teacher Mr. Forrest Hurst said.

Her biggest motivation for all of her diligent efforts is her father.

“My freshman year, my dad’s job got cut,” Christy said. “He got right back up and went to nursing school. Meanwhile, my mom worked multiple jobs. Now I feel like it’s my turn to do as much for them as they have for me.”

This motivation helps keep the senioritis at bay. However, sometimes Christy does feel the stress.

“I think I went a little overboard,” Christy said. “Don’t kill yourself, but remember that the harder it is during high school, the easier it will be in college.”

Christy will still be challenging herself at the Honors College, but she chose this path for the perks that come with it, along with the fact that it is an invitation-only aspect of the university.

“I think you should never close the door on an opportunity,” Christy said. “It’s not going to hurt you, only help you. I didn’t want to take out the possibility without even trying it.”

(continued from cover)Reflecting on their high school experiences, the class of 2012 would like to tell about their favorite memories from high

school. One of the Moodle modules that had to be filled out by seniors participating in independent academic lab asked the seniors to “make a list of their top ten NHS experiences that all incoming freshmen must do before they graduate from NHS.” After compiling approximately one hundred seniors responses, the top 10 experiences are:

1. “Be a part of the student section and participate- it is Noblesville, it’s what we do.”- senior Eliot Barnes.2. “Go to Prom. Just swallow your pride and your fear of public dancing and go.” –senior Tyler Zerbe.3. “Go all out during homecoming week. Noblesville’s homecoming week is a tradition and we do a lot of things that other

schools don’t. Appreciate the history and get involved.” –senior Lauren Schooley.4. Befriend the people in your classes too, even if they’re not in your grade. You never know who will become your good

friends.” –senior Taylor Thompson.5. “Be a part of team/club! Take part in anything and everything. Participating in clubs and teams are a great way to meet

new people, people that you may never have thought you would have anything in common with.” –senior Lauren Moss.6. “Try your best in all of your classes all the time. It is easier to maintain a good grade than to stress at the end of the semes-

ter and try to bring a grade up.” -senior Gwen Runningen.7. “Attend Mr. Noblesville and FNL. You definitely cannot pass up an opportunity to watch your teachers and classmates

embarrass themselves on stage.” –senior Brock Hammond.8. “Find a teacher you’re practically in love with. Seriously, there will be a least one, if not a few, teachers at NHS that will

explain things in a way you perfectly understand, that you will respect and want to keep in contact with. The only way you’ll find this teacher is by, GASP, actually talking to your teachers. You know, like they’re human beings too, or something.” –senior Maris Feely.

9. “Never take one day for granted because people were telling me freshman year that high school would fly by and I never believed them. Seems like just yesterday they were telling me that, funny how that works. There is not one thing I can complain about. I loved every minute of my high school career. I have met the best people, had some awesome teachers, and made the

best memories. Don’t let it slip away.” –senior Payton Moore.10. “Participate in all senior traditions. NHS has a lot of unique senior traditions that

other schools don’t have (senior jerseys and senior cords), so take advantage of them and enjoy them” –senior Abbey Alvey.

After four years spent at NHS, the seniors’ memories all varied however most agreed that these were the memories that they would remember the most. Even Mrs. Nicole Steele got involved as a current staff member posted a top ten list.

1. Sit down with someone at lunch with whom you haven’t spoken in a while and have a meaningful conversation.

2. Ask that guy/girl who doesn’t look like you or your circle of friends AT ALL what he/she is listening to on his/her iPod.

3. Park in the back row of the student parking lot.4. Say hello to a teacher you haven’t had since you were a sophomore.5. Spend a Sunday afternoon with your parents.6. Ask a younger sibling for life advice (including dating tips!). If you’re the baby, ask

an older sibling. If you have no siblings, ask your best friend’s siblings!7. Thank a custodian/cafeteria worker for that clean floor and those spicy chicken sand-

wiches.8. Bring your lunch from home, including a pudding cup, a PB&J and carrot sticks.9. Locate adults who attended NHS and ask them what’s on their bucket list from high

school.10. Commit to completing your IAL assignmentsIn a class of approximately 600, the senior class will forever recognize our NHS building

as their high school, where all these memories were made. Who knows what is to come for each member of the graduating class, but one thing is for sure there were many memories made in their four years here at NHS.

the focus 705.18.2012.



He walks among us everyday with a barrage of musi-cal talent and a pretty interesting background, and yet his story is relatively untold. His name is Devin Hinnant, and he’s pretty hard to miss with his continual tapping in class, which he refers to as “Drum Disease” and his hair that he says he only straightens because he wants to. Hinnant was born in Washington DC, and after a se-ries of events, he was placed into foster care. Since being put into foster care, Hinnant has gone to a different high school every year since his freshman year going to HSE, South Port, John Marshall, and Noblesville twice.

Throughout the moving and changing of homes Hin-nant says that his plans after high school consist of “mov-ing out” and “living a little.”

“I’ve always wanted to get out, I guess foster care kind

of helped with that,” Hinnant said. “I’d like to be inde-pendent and do things my own way for a little bit, like I’d rather get some experience in the world first, live a little.”

Hinnant likes to record music, anything from acoustic to hardcore.

“He’s big on recording. He’s pretty good, too,” junior Eddie Fisher, Hannant’s foster brother, said.

Hinnant plays everything: guitar, keyboard and drums. While drums are his favorite, he thoroughly en-joys any musical instrument he can get his talented his hands on.

“Devin is a natural musician and has a great ear!” Pai-no teacher Mrs. Debbie Wittstein said.

After getting out into the world, Hinnant would love to go to Vincennes University for music.

“Their studio is amazing! If I were to go there next year I’d be really excited,” Hinnant said.

Being inspired by bands such as Sugar Cult, Hinnant has been in a few bands in his day but with moving con-stantly with foster care, it’s been hard to stay in a band. While Hinnant like being apart of a band, he’s perfectly fine with being a solo artist.

“I like coming up with all the parts and lyrics and everything. Its also less stressful because you don’t have to worry about this guy who can’t play this and that guy who can’t play that,” Hinnant said.

Hinnant has one interesting story, and maybe before gradua-tion one should meet new people because there could possibly be future famous people among us.

Adam [email protected]

Senior Devin Hinnant is revealed

During the yearbook audi-tions, seniors Zach Rodgers throws marshmallows to senior Sam Roudebush who tried to catch the marshmal-low in his mouth while jump roping and wearing a boa.

At FNL, Mr. John Smith and Mrs. Peggy Lucas performed for the audi-ence of students as the Carmel Latte and the Miller Milk man.

Photos by B. Denny

Senior Mary Christy hugs former teacher Mrs. Marilyn Bailey on Honor Night, Wednesday May 9. Bailey awarded Christy with the Phi Beta Psi Sorority Scholarship. Over 75 awards and scholarships were distributed to various seniors to aid them with their upcoming college fees.

Illustrartion by A. Reed

Senior seeks scholarships

Photo by M. McNew

8 advertisement Mill Stream05.18.2012

12 caboose Mill Stream09.03.2007

Chip and Dawn Lee and the entire Lee Supply Family wish

to congratulate the graduating class of 2012. Congratulations, good

luck, and may God bless you all in your future journeys.

2012. As the year continues on, the idea of the world’s possible end, looms before some. Will it be an ice age? Could it be astroids? Maybe it could be a zombie apocolypse. If so, it seems students at NHS are built to survive.

Subject: Evan Wray Grade: FreshmanWeapon of choice: crow bar (to break top stairs)Plan of Action: “I would destroy my top stairs. If I destroyed them, (as in stairs that go

to the upstairs of my house), no zombies could ever get to me. It’s simple and easy. I could just climb up and down from a ladder or some rope to get supplies and such.”

Subject: Christa KarnsGrade: FreshmanWeapon of choice: Nerf Gun (it’s the only gun that can truly kill a zombie)Plan of Action: “[I would] Join a zombie attack team and conquer the zombie popula-

tion. Our plan would be to distract them with an Easter bunny and then shoot them with water and Nerf guns. We would conquer them by going for the weakest first then the strong ones. I would go for the leader by myself.”

Subject: Quentin SwaimGrade: SophomoreWeapon of choice: Shovel (It’s more fun and to chop their heads off)Plan of Action: “I think the first thing I’d do is go to Lowe’s because I’ve always felt that

that place was the best place to get all the kind of weapons you need to survive a zombie apocalypse. Then I’d just fight a way to a store that hasn’t been raided yet.”

Subject: BridgettDunklauGrade: SophomoreWeapon of choice: Garden Pliers (to hit people with them and snap stuff)Plan of Action: “First thing I would do is find a safe zone, preferably a large building

with only one exit and access to the roof. Then I would get a small group of people, and we would go around and hunt down weapons. Once we get weapons, we get food and stuff, and then we sit there and wait for everyone else to die. If they come, kill ‘em!”

Subject: Eddie FisherGrade: JuniorWeapon of choice: Light-weight bat (don’t have to reload a baseball bat, you just…

Whack!)Plan of Action: “I’d make sure to stock pile some weapons before hand, at first signs like

if I hear things on the news that alert me to possibilities of a zombie attack. I would call over some friends and we’d get together in a group and start to a central location where we can hide out and wait through the worst of it.”

Subject: Johnnise BroadnaxGrade: Junior

Weapon of choice:AK47 with a flamethrower attachmentPlan of Action: “I would make sure to have at least a handsome survivor to help me out,

I mean what’s the point of surviving without the possible chance of continuing the human race. Any-who… I would take my sexy sidekick and head to China. They make everything I would need to take over the world. Then I would think to myself, what would Hitler do? Well of course, I would develop a nuke or some other type of weapon of mass destruction to destroy all of the zombies in the western hemisphere. Then take shelter in a military base where I would wait for the zombies to come for me. As they come, I would pick them off in masses with my flamethrower. In the meantime my sexy sidekick would be luring the zom-bies in with his chiseled body and body remains of the idiots who didn’t follow my lead. After I have destroyed all of the zombies, my main goal would be to repopulate the earth. My sidekick and I would have adorable little super hero children!”

Subject: Chris DavisGrade: SeniorWeapon of choice: Tank (zombies aren’t going to get in a tank)Plan of Action: “First off, I’d probably be in the mall. I’d probably do like on dawn of

the dead, how they stock up in the mall. So I’ll have food, guns, and entertainment. You’d probably have to barricade all of the walls and doors and there’d have to be a gun store, baseball bat store (because baseball bats are always awesome, you can put nails or stuff in them if you want to get up close and personal). I’d probably be all decked out I’d have to ankle-holster guns, two on the back, a machete. You’d have to go all out, or else you wouldn’t make it. “

Subject: Jessica TurnerGrade: SeniorWeapon of choice: Battle AxPlan of Action: “I would travel around the world and set up bombs, that wouldn’t go off

until I set them off on a later date, they would be hidden and nobody would know about them. I would find my absolute worst enemy and give them a disease, unbeknownst to them. It would start out acting like ‘herpa-ghonna-cyphi-litis,’ but then it would eventually turn them into a zombie. I would keep out a select group of people that I liked, and keep them in a community far off, completely away from the zombie world and they would be used later to repopulate the earth. I would then build a Rocket ship, and this rocket ship would be connected to, not only the main bomb, but the network of bombs. Before I took this ship into space, with ten years worth of supplies, I would make the zombies gather around, drawing them with rotten meat, maybe using one person that I hated and use them as bait. I would attract them, then take off in my rocket, which would set off the entire net-work of bombs, killing pretty much all the zombies on earth. I would then orbit the earth, in my rocket ship, for ten years, or until I ran out of supplies, come back down. If there are a surviving few, I would shoot them in the head (easy kills). Then I would go to my com-munity and, you know, start repopulating. “

9featuresMill Stream05.18.2012

Skye [email protected]

Illustration by A. Reed

Everyone has that one celebrity or famous saga that he or she just loves. Whether it’s Johnny Depp or Twilight, everyone has his or her favorites. While some tend to keep their celebrity crush a secret, others are not afraid to share theirs.

Senior Emily Edge admits that she has quite the obsession with J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter. Edge has every book/movie and relives the Potter world through them often. She’s even visited the world of Harry Potter in Universal Studios, bought a wand and makes the famous wizard drink butter beer on a regular basis.

“When I was about 10 I went to see Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in the theater, and I’ve loved Harry Potter ever since,” Edge said.

Sophomore Jessica Gianuzzi isn’t afraid to share her fascination with teen pop star Miley Cyrus, either. While Gianuzzi is not the biggest fan of her music, she loves Miley Cyrus as a person.

“I just really like her hair… I’m obsessed with her hair, yes. I have a MileyWorld ac-count, and I get all of her backstage videos and stuff,” Gianuzzi said.

Senior Mackenzie Newman said she would describe her interest in the pop boy band the Jonas Brothers as more of a dedication.

“Obsessed is a strong word… I think that is the biggest misconcep-tion about my liking of them,” Newman said. “I once heard a rumor that I wouldn’t let someone see my cell phone because I had Nick Jonas’ number! I honestly wish that rumor had a little bit of truth to it.”

Newman said that she’s had a love for concerts ever since the age of five. On a last-minute whim, she decided to attend a free show at the state fair in 2007. The next thing she knew, she was attending up to 10 shows in one tour across the country.

“I haven’t kept track of how many times I’ve met them, but if I’d have to guess it would be around 30 to 40 times… They recognize my friends and I when we see them and are always very welcoming by saying ‘It’s great seeing you again!’ They show their appreciation by giving us an occasional meet and greet,” Newman said.

Although many would say these three are “obsessed,” it’s more than just an obsession. For Edge, it’s something she’s always grown up with.

“It sounds corny, but I think Harry Potter will always hold a special place in my heart. I’m actually even considering getting a Harry Potter related tat-too,” Edge said.

For Gianuzzi, her liking doesn’t just stop at a fascination for Miley Cyrus’ hair. Gianuzzi sees her as an inspiration of someone she wants to be like.

“I just think she’s really cool… I think I look like her, and I want to look like her… [If I met her] I would probably have a heart attack and be in the hospital,” Gianuzzi said.

And for Newman, her dedication has brought her many memories that she’ll treasure forever. Through her experiences, she’s met life long friends from all over the country, and developed a special past time that she and her dad share.

“When I grow up I believe they [the Jonas Brothers] will always be a part of me. The memories, the friends, the experiences I will never forget,” Newman said.

Just like some students enjoy sports, academics, or arts, others enjoy people in the spot-light. No matter who these “obsessions” may be over and what experi-

ences they may cause, they all can become s o m e t h i n g special and meaningful.

10 features Mill Stream05.18.2012

Students’ celebrity obsessions unveiled

Senior Mackenzie Newman poses for a photo with the Jonas Brothers. Newman says she’s traveled all over the country since she was in seventh grade, and she’s met them so many times that they recognize her.

Navar [email protected]

Sidney [email protected]

A man invented a left-handed hammer. Why didn’t it sell? Because there weren’t any left-handed nails! [Buh-dum, ksssh]

Jokes targeting the left-handed community are few, though there is a plethora of jokes targeting blondes, Helen Keller, dead babies, and yo’ mama.

Only 10 to 12 percent of the population is left-handed, thus possibly serving as an explanation for the lack of jokes and at-tention this community receives.

This small community endures struggles in life that right-handed people do not face. Left-handed students and staff dis-cuss the disadvantages, advantages, and day-in-the-life experi-ences for their fellow right-handed counterparts.

Lefties take over

Lefty lows [the disadvantages]From some of the earliest civilizations, sinistrality, or left-

handedness, has been viewed under a negative light. Even the root word sinistra has a double meaning in Classical Latin as meaning both “left” and “evil.”

In the Middle Ages, left-handed children were killed be-cause they were seen as wicked. In one-room American school-houses during the early 20th century, teachers would often slap the left-handed students and force them to write with the other hand.

“Honestly, it scares me that people in the old days were so worried by left-handed people that they forced them to be [someone] different than who they are,” senior Brittany Bur-khalter said. “I feel like being left handed defines who I am personality wise because I have to adapt to more things, and I’ve become a pretty patient person because of it.”

Having to adapt to right-handed tools is the greatest disad-vantage to being left-handed, students believe. Tools that are

Lefty luck [the advantages]Despite all the disadvantages, however, many south-

paws, or left-handed people, have found a way to cope with their sinistrality, even using it as a creative way to identify themselves.

“It makes me cooler,” Emmert said.“I like being different than everyone else,” Burkhalter

said. “[Being left-handed] is a blessing and a curse. You have to know how to react to different situations, like how to position your hand when writing with a pen, but at least you can say you’re different.”

Slain said that southpaws are “cooler” because they’re creative and know how to react in difficult situations, un-like many of their right-handed peers.

“We’re the survivors,” Slain said. “We know how to survive because we’ve had to adapt. Everybody else has their scissors just blended to them. We have to learn how to take two pieces of iron and cut things.”

Words for your right-handed peers?Emmert stated that if he could say anything to right-

handers, he would ask them to give lefties the same treat-ment as right-handed people.

“I just wish we could get the school to buy us left-handed notebooks and left-handed scissors to make it easier for us,” Emmert said. “Not even half the school is left-handed. We’re a minority… It’d be cool if we had [left-handed] rights, like advantages for us.”

Slain gloats to right-handers by using his favorite lefty quote that justifies that southpaws are smarter.

“If the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body, then only left-handed people are in their right minds,” Slain said.

Burkhalter ended on a more serious note. “There re-ally is no way that you could make a right-handed person understand what it’s like, but it’s one of the most defining characteristics about me,” Burkhalter said.

Statistics provided by facts.randomhistory.com

Photo provided by Mackenzie Newman

inconvenient for lefties include scissors, can openers, spi-ral notebooks, fishing reels, and kitchen knives.

“Scissors are the most annoying out of anything. Scissors are made for right-handed people, and left-handed people just can’t use them,” Spanish teacher Mr. Marc Slain said.

Burkhalter shared that the most annoying aspect of being left-handed was discrimination when it came to sports.

“Sometimes I feel a bit separated like when I’m playing softball because everyone else is right-handed,” Burkhalter said. She stated that it’s oftentimes difficult to learn new drills in softball. Slain was able to identify.

“Sports were always tough left-handed because everyone wanted to teach you right-handed, and [the coaches] strug-gled with teaching you because they were right-handed,” Slain said.

Fun (or not-so-fun) Facts -Lefties die 9 years younger than the right-handers-Lefties are more likely to become alcoholics, dyslexic, schizophrenic, and delinquent-International Left Hander’s Day is every Aug. 13-Jack the Ripper, Osama Bin Laden, and Adolf Hitler were all left-handed-Medieval Europe believed witches to be left-handed-100 positive references are made to the right hand in the Bible. The only 25 references to the left hand are all negative.

Photo provided by Mackenzie Newman

11sportsMill Stream05.18.2012

When it comes to high school athletics, the practices, games and tournaments can all seem like a blur. For many, time goes by and seasons end quickly with little time to set goals. Throughout sophomore Christie Hanna’s seven years of playing softball, she has thrived to throw better pitches, especially the “rise-ball.”

“I am mainly a pitcher, but I also play first and third base,” Hanna said. “A major goal I set for myself is to not give up a lot of runs and I have achieved that goal well. I thrive to keep doing so. One goal I have is to perfect my rise ball [pitch.]”

According to pitchsoftball.com, “a rise ball is a pitch that appears to defy the law of gravity and rises as it nears the batter. Throwing a rise ball is an advanced pitching skill that can take years of practice to master. Pitching a rise ball requires a special grip, and strong, backward spin to be effective.”

“The [rise ball pitch] is the hardest pitch to master but it is also very effective. I would like to get more strike outs in the future seasons,” said Hanna.

Incorporating the “rise-pitch” helps Hanna become an even better pitcher and achieve her goal of not giving up many runs.

“The rise pitch starts in the strike-zone and then rises out of it. It makes it difficult for a player to read and make contact with it,” said softball coach Mrs. Shanda Steele.

According to teammate, sophomore Ashley Baldwin, Hanna is “one of the best pitchers.” What impresses Baldwin is that Hanna has had playing time on varsity, even

during her freshman year. “Christie is positive and that’s what makes her a good softball player,” said Bald-

win. “If I could describe her in one word, it would be ‘outgoing.’ She helps the team every time she gets the chance.”

Hanna is a good softball player and teammate, but her pitching style is what makes her great, according to Steele.

“Christie is fearless and isn’t afraid to fail when she’s pitching. She knows she’s going to make mistakes, but she doesn’t let that affect her game,” said Steele.

From the moment that Steele met Hanna, she could see great potential. “I remember she was a good pitcher, but she said ‘I can hit too!’ So, we let her. She

always had a smile on her face and was fun to be around,” said Steele. Senior teammate and close friend, Macey Smith, said that she continues to see

Hanna improving on and off the softball field. “Christie is a hardworking and good pitcher. She is always getting better at pitching and

improving her skills. She works up to her best ability,” said Smith.Looking back at her seven consecutive years of softball, Hanna considers all her hard

work dedicated to becoming a better pitcher to be worth it. “When I think of my softball experiences, I think of all the hard work I have put

into it and how much it has paid off. I never thought I would be where I am now and I know that I can only get better,” said Hanna.

In the long run, it is easier to skip setting goals and to stay at a stagnant skill level, especially as a pitcher, according to Hanna. But looking back on her experiences and raw effort put in throughout the seasons, Hanna says that “it was all worth it.”

A day in the life of:Christie Hanna

Spring sports are in full bloom

Senior Ali Charles long jumped at the county track meet. She went home the county champ in long jump and the next week took a second place at conference in the 300m high hurdles.

Photo by K. Foley

Runner? Jumper? Thrower? The girl’s track team’s got it all. All conference in the 800m run, 4x800m relay, 3200m run, shot put, and high jump, and pole vault , they’ve been sweeping the field.

“We started out slow with all the new participants but as the sea-son has progressed, many star athletes began to shine,” senior and captain Ali Charles said. This past Tuesday, 11 girls made it on to regional meet.

The girls’ tennis team has added a lot of new players this year. “A lot of girls came out for the team this year. We had a rough start with so many new players, but as the season be-gins to come to a close, we’ve been getting really close. We all support each other and get along great now,” sophomore Jenna Gerhardt said.

This past weekend the team placed third at conference.

Senior Aly St. Pierre playing on senior night against Lawrence North. Aly has played tennis every year of high school.

Photo by K. Foley

“We’re going to state,” junior Sam Hardwick said. The confidence is all around for the boys’ golf team. With a record of 38-2, they’re ready for the state tournament to begin. “We’re a tight knit group of guys who’ve started out the season strong and will end even stronger. #VSQUAD,” Hardwick said.

Junior Trevor Spellmen practices for the upcoming tournement. The golfers prac-tice everyday at Forest Park Golf Course and practice on their own during the off months.

Photo provided by Courtney Childers

Sophia [email protected]

Kendra [email protected]

Noblesville has seven school funded sports and three club sports during the spring time: girls and boys track, boys golf, girls tennis, baseball, softball, men’s volleyball, and girls and boys lacross. With the state tournement com-ing up for a lot of the sport, the athletes are adjusting to changes within the team and focusing on the games, meets and matches ahead.

For more sports and other stories use the QR code.

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Since the dawn of time, man has dreamed of flying through the sky like a bird. It wasn’t until the Wright brothers invented the airplane that humanity finally able to make that dream a reality. Who knew that the people who will be working to forward this advancement of human flight could be attending this very school? These future flyers are learning what goes into flight in the aerospace engineering class.

Aerospace engineering is a class in which students are taught about aerodynamics and flight, among other things. It is a class desgined for students wanting to become engineers, such as sophomore Chris Polivik.

“That’s why I took it,” Polivik said. “ I’m interested in that sort of thing.”“My favorite thing about that class is the interesting material that we’ve

covered,” sophomore Stephen Gervase said. Of the many activities that aero-space students have done, the ones that stood out to Polivik include building airplanes, launching rockets, gliders, and building robots.

“It’s a class where a lot of thinking is going on,” Wilkins said. “You have to pay careful attention to what you’re doing.”

“A lot of the assignments are completion,” Gervase said, “but if you really want to do well on the tests and the final, those are a lot more difficult.”

Generally, there are no long-lasting projects. While it may be project-based class, all of the projects are relatively short-term and all of the work is done in the classroom. In this way, according to Gervase, the class is mentally taxing but does not add a huge load to the students’ shoulders.

One of the hardest parts of the class for many students was programming the robots...or as this particular model is called, the “boebots”.

“Programming [the robots] was a real challenge,” sophomore Chris Polivik said.

In this project, students were grouped into pairs and built a robot. Then, they connected the robots to the computer and programmed them in the pro-gramming language called “BASIC”. BASIC is a computer programming lan-guage that was designed to be easier for beginning programmers to learn.

While there are no prerequisites to the class, it is recommended that students to have at least taken geometry and be open to a completely new kind of sci-ence.

Aerospace Engineering lifts off

For more Mill Stream news online, scan the QR code in Fuzz’s paper!

Alex [email protected]

Photo by A. ShelleyAbby Alvey and Tanner Bailey work on a robot for their Principles of Engineering class. The Principles of Engineer-ing and Aerospace Engineering classes both cover similar subject matter while focusing on different areas.

Issue 12, 2012.

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Transcript of Issue 12, 2012.