Ask the Contributors 3
March 8, 2010
Acumen reporters and artist of this issue share their favorite female role models
“I want a car that flies. I want to see men on Mars. I want to see the Xbox 3000, which comes with a monkey that plays multiplayer games with me. I want to see the iHome, which is an actual home.”
By junior Daniel Li, artist
“I hope to see the drinking age lowered to 18, reducing the abuse of alcohol by teenagers and removing the idea of rebellion. If one is old enough to fight and die for this country, he or she should be old enough to have a beer.”
By junior Audrey Bailey, reporter
“I hope Walt Disney Pictures releases more hand-drawn movies. Computer-generated images are progressive and revolutionary, but nothing can replace traditional Disney songs and animations.”
By sophomore Laura Peng, reporter
“Well, I would like to see all of our troops out of the Middle East and focus more on what’s going on in our own country.”
By senior Mitch Ringenberg, reporter
“I hope to see the United States greatly reduce its dependence on foreign oil and utilize more environmentally sustainable forms of energy.”
By junior Meredith Boyd, reporter
“I want to see printers that actually work, maps where Greenland is the right size and a font where ‘c l’ doesn’t look so much like ‘d.’”
By sophomore Yameen Hameed, reporter
The Decade’s Breakout Musicians
March 7, 2010
By Katie Walstrom
kwalstrom@hilite.org
The three most hard-working, prominent and popular artists who defined the style of the 2000s may be Coldplay, Linkin Park and Eminem.
Coldplay
Coldplay formed in London during 1998 with a unique, alternative rock sound. The group has been compared to other well-known artists in this decade, such as U2 and Radiohead. Its debut album, Parachutes, was released in 2000 and was nominated for the Mercury Prize. The most popular song on that album is “Yellow.”
A Rush of Blood to the Head, released in 2002, was the album that put Coldplay into the mainstream. The album had numerous hits, such as “Clocks,” “Politik” and “The Scientist” and won multiple awards, including Album of the Year by New Musical Express. Coldplay’s album, X&Y, was released in 2005 and the band continued their success with “Fix You,” “Talk,” “Speed of Sound” and “Low.” The band’s newest album, Viva La Vida, released in 2008, seems to be its most popular album yet. This album has received several Grammy nominations and wins. Coldplay also has sold over 50 million records worldwide.
Linkin Park
Linkin Park originated in California with a rap and rock sound. The group’s 2000 debut album Hybrid Theory, gave the band instant mainstream success. Linkin Park’s second album, Meteora, arrived in 2003, and that same year, MTV2 named Linkin Park the sixth greatest band of the music video era and the third best artist of the new millennium.
While those two albums gave Linkin Park a claim to the title of most influential, its third album, Minutes to Midnight, solidified that title. Released in 2007, Minutes to Midnight has the hit songs “Leave Out All the Rest,” “Bleed It Out” and “What I’ve Done.” The album had the most successful debut week of any album that year. Linkin Park has sold over 50 million albums worldwide and has also won two Grammy Awards.
Eminem
Eminem isn’t only a rapper; he is also an actor and record producer who owns his own record label, Shady Records. Eminem, born as Marshall Mathers and also known as Slim Shady, is the first artist to win Best Rap Album for three consecutive albums. Those albums were The Slim Shady LP, The Marshall Mathers LP and The Eminem Show.
In 2002, Eminem starred in the movie “8 Mile,” which was based on events in his life. The song “Lose Yourself” from the movie’s soundtrack won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and went on to become the longest-running hip-hop single. His next two albums were Encore in 2004 and Relapse in 2009. Eminem has been ranked as one of the 100 Greatest Artists by Rolling Stone magazine, Best Rapper Ever by Vibe magazine and was named Artist of the Decade by Billboard Magazine. He has also achieved eight number-one albums on the Billboard Top 200, 12 number-one singles worldwide and has sold over 80 million albums worldwide.
Is Chivalry Dead?
December 14, 2009
Student and relationship expert offer insight on prevalence of chivalry
No
By Monica Cheng
<mcheng@hilite.org>
DANIEL LI / GRAPHIC
While the concept of chivalry is constantly changing and conflicting views arise about whether chivalry is still practiced, senior Matthew Hook said chivalry is still alive.
“But I feel that male chivalry isn’t as prevalent as it’s been before,” Hook said. “I think that can be viewed as a good and bad thing. Women don’t need to rely on men as much anymore. But random acts of chivalry is also good.”
Such acts of chivalry would include opening doors, pulling out chairs, carrying books and allowing the girl to go first in lines.
Although chivalry is generally implied to men, Hook said it does not always have to only go one way. “It shouldn’t matter who is being chivalrous. Chivalry, in the traditional sense, is men being courteous to women. But now, it’s just a sign of respect.”
“Taking it back to the roots, it was the thought back then that women needed to be treated so delicately because they weren’t up to the standards of men. So they needed men to open doors and carry books for them. But that’s hardly polite because it’s sexist to women,” Hook said.
However, while some men are more polite and chivalrous toward women, there are others who do not approach women in the same way. Hook said that would most likely be explained in the way students were brought up in a family. He said order of birth may also have some impact because older siblings may be more caring toward others.
“I know some people who always act chivalrous to girls for the sole purpose of impressing them,” Hook said. “But I think it would be better if they act polite just for the sake of being nice and not for any other reason.”
Yes
By Thalib Razi
<trazi@hilite.org>
According to Rachael Noble, a dating and relationships columnist and coach, chivalry has nearly died out in Indiana. She said chivalry in a relationship involves the man helping and providing for the woman whenever she needs assistance, including holding the door for her and paying for her meal on a date.
Noble said she believes chivalry in Indiana will disappear entirely in the next twenty years because women have been campaigning for the same rights and treatment as men for a century. In order for complete fairness, she said, many people feel chivalry must go.
“When I’m with a male friend and we’re walking into a building, I’ll let him hold the door for me. This lets him know how I want him to take care of me,” Noble said. “But the times have obviously changed in some ways; many of my guy friends are completely secure and actually excited that their girlfriends or wives are making more than they are.”
Noble said in the beginning of a relationship, the man should pay for the meal and do his best to be chivalrous and romantic in all ways. But over time, it would be more practical to put money together and split the bill, she said, since women and men are equal in the workplace and have similar incomes.
At the same time, according to Noble, with all the time and money women put into beautifying themselves for their men, it would be nice if the man would pick up the check at the restaurant.
“When I said that in my column, I got all these indignant e-mails from men saying, ‘You want equality but you want us to pay? We’re going to treat you like equals in everything,’” Noble said. “I realized then just how dead chivalry is here.”
I Love You, Man
December 14, 2009
Males embrace the growing trend of “bromances”
By Darlene Pham
<dpham@hilite.org>
Juniors David Chiang and Lawrence Yeh have known each other since 5th grade. They first met at Chinese school, and according to Chiang, their years of experiences together have made them close friends. At first glance, they seem to be just another pair of friends, but get to know them, and a deeper relationship is revealed.
“It’s pretty much understood that we are inseparable, in a good way,” Chiang said via e-mail. Read more
Purely Platonic
December 14, 2009
Students look to friends of opposite gender for friendships instead of relationships
By Priya Patel
<ppatel@hilite.org>
Often, people do not believe that a single, eligible male can be close friends with a single, eligible female; however the “just friends” phenomenon is actually commonplace. Junior Tyler Hardcastle and Sophomore Katherine “Katie” Cheesman have been best friends for the past year, but said they feel nothing romantic for the other.
Hardcastle said all of their friends know they are just friends, and no one really bothers them with the misconception they may be a romantic item. “We’re friends. We tease each other a lot and do things together all the time, but it’s nothing more. We’re basically like brother and sister,” Hardcastle said.
JUST FRIENDS: Sophomore Katherine “Katie” Cheesman and junior Tyler Hardcastle spend some time competing in pool. They have been close friends for the past year and ditsagree with the misconception that all friendships become romantic. EMILY PUTERBAUGH / PHOTOS
Hardcastle and Cheesman met at church in the church band they play in. Since that has required much extracurricular dedication, they often spend a great deal of time together. “We’re always together doing different things for church that we ended up becoming really close,” Hardcastle said.
According to interpersonal relations teacher Lila Torp, it is not uncommon to have friends of the opposite sex that mean nothing more than any other friend of the same sex. “It’s just a perception that (boys and girls) can’t be friends without anything extra going on,” Torp said.
Though Torp admits sometimes teenagers’ judgment are often clouded with hormones, she said she still feels platonic friendships are an imperative part of life. “Even then, friendship is an excellent way to understand the opposite gender, because I think we think and communicate differently, and if you don’t have someone to trust who can provide honest feedback in troubles and help you understand the other gender, it becomes hard,” Torp said.
“Not all friendships are going to (become romantic), and it’s annoying when people jump to conclusions about that because it puts undue pressure on dating, but I do think it’s really good to have guy friends because it helps to have the guy perspective on things,” Cheesman said.
Cheesman said though she does look to Hardcastle or other male friends from the friend group for more honest opinions, she entrusted all of her friends to tell her their true feelings on the subject. However, she does agree that more often than not, she will get the most straightforward answers from the male friends in the group.
Cheesman said, “It is great to know that when I ask him for an honest opinion, he’ll tell me what he really thinks, instead of trying to spare my feelings.”
Breaking the Ice
October 29, 2009
Sophomore Emily Chandler doesn’t take the rink in figure skates, but instead suits up to play hockey with the boys
By Andrew Browning
<abrowning@hilite.org>
The Carmel Blue hockey team has proven year in and year out that it has the talent to compete with many of the state’s top A teams. Clearly a capable bunch with plenty of talent, the squad still has one player who stands out from the rest. It’s one of their right wings that often gets noticed, but it’s not because of exceptional size, speed or skill. Rather, it’s the blonde ponytail hanging out of sophomore Emily Chandler’s helmet that makes her unique among all her male comrades.
Onlookers and opponents shouldn’t be fooled by appearance. Chandler is in her 10th year of organized hockey, all of which she’s played with boys, and she said she knows she doesn’t have any problem holding her own at the high school level − even if she is almost always the only girl on the ice.
“Obviously I don’t have as much muscle as them, but I think I’m at the same skill level almost,” Chandler said. “(Knowing I’m the only girl) makes me want to try a little harder, but I’m used to it now so it feels normal to me.”
Brandon Kidd, right wing and senior, said many people perceive that the only girl on the team is bound to be the team’s least talented player, but that is not the case with Chandler.
“She’s not the best, but she’s not the worst either,” Kidd said. “There’s different ranges of skill on the team, but she’s definitely not the worst.”
After so many years, Chandler has proven herself capable in the sport. In fact, she is just one team below the person who taught her the game. Sophomore Brandon Krumper, now a goaltender for Carmel Gold, sparked Chandler’s enthusiasm for the game over 10 years ago.
“We used to always play outside on his driveway,” Chandler said. “So that led into (my interest in hockey), and then I started playing.”
LIGHT ON HER FEET: Sophomore Emily Chandler skates during practice for the Carmel Icehounds Blue team. Chandler is the only girl on the squad and hopes to continue playing hockey in college. NICK JOHNSON / PHOTO
That early childhood ambition could pay off soon, as Chandler has hopes of taking her game to the next level. Chandler said she wants to play women’s hockey in college, and that dream may not be far off because college coaches are already starting to take notice of the sophomore forward.
“I want to play for a girls’ team in college, intercollegiate or Division I team,” she said. “I would like to get a scholarship to play. I know some (college coaches) have contacted the Gold coach, but none me personally, so I’m just waiting.”
Although some type of women’s team is probably in Chandler’s not-too-distant future, she said she is more than happy playing with men for now.
“As I got older I got closer to the guys, and it became more fun,” Chandler said. “(Being the only girl) doesn’t really affect me.”
Not only is Chandler glad to be a part of Carmel Blue, but Kidd said the guys appreciate having her on the team.
“I think it’s a good experience for everyone to know that girls can play hockey,” Kidd said. “If a girl’s playing hockey people say, ‘Why? They should be figure skating.’ No. Girls can play hockey.”
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