Indiana Jones’ final trek
May 22, 2008
By: Ariel Aisen <aaisen@hilite.org>
Today is the scheduled release date for the fourth installment in the “Indiana Jones” franchise, “The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” Harrison Ford will reprise his celebrated role as the adventurous archaeologist, with a big difference: the most recent installment, “The Last Crusade,” starred a much younger Ford (19 years younger, to be exact).
Conveniently, this film takes places in the same time frame, set roughly 19 years after “The Last Crusade;” fittingly, everyone’s favorite whip-cracking hero will be fighting against conniving Soviets instead of plotting Nazis.
In similar fashion, a “Star Trek” film, reportedly serving as a prequel to the ground-breaking 60s series starring William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy, is set to premiere next May.
The young cast includes several noted comedians, such as John Cho from the “Harold and Kumar” series and British actor Simon Pegg from “Shaun of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz.” Hardcore fans of the classic series question how this modern film will live up to the reputation of its predecessor.
These examples reflect a trend that has been going on in Hollywood for years: revivals and remakes of classic and successful films—and more recently, television series—that more often than not modernize the older media to an almost unrecognizable extent. The question is however, whether or not this trend is unique to the mass media; does it reflect a retro movement in our culture in general, a sort of veneration for the days of old?
Society has advanced in countless ways since the 60s, and even since the 80s, when the first Indiana Jones film, “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” took the nation by storm.
But even as technology develops at groundbreaking speed, and picture phones and text messages replace cameras and telephone calls, homage is still paid to classic traditions, as evident in some fashion and music trends.
Artists like Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones are still cranking out tunes, and vintage stores peddle old fashions to a new, impressionable generation of consumers. One explanation could be the theory that time is cyclical, and events and trends of the past are bound to repeat over and over.
A more logical conclusion would be that industries such as film studios wish to take advantage of the popularity of older, but wildly successful, creative ventures. By presenting them to both the old fans as well as a modern audience, the profits generated can be continued long after a television series, for example, has concluded. Ariel Aisen is an entertainment editor for the HiLite. Contact her at aaisen@hilite.org.
Juniors faced with challenge of creating legacy
May 22, 2008
By: Amy Flis
In a world of planned obsolescence, where a new cell phone purchased today will be old news in a matter of months, it’s tough to answer that question—why? Why are we here? What’s the purpose to this life? What can I do that will actually make a difference, change someone else’s life, leave a legacy?
It is just the natural order of progression for one group to move on to make room for the next group. Every year, students that has risen through the ranks to become the prominent leaders of the school leaves the place where they have built their legacies, and the next generation moves up. The members of the departing class take with them what they leave behind, but just how much do they leave behind? And how large are the shoes they leave behind for the next class to fill?
Even as a junior, I notice more and more the lack of recognition when I remark about someone who was here just a few years ago. When I go back to my old middle school, I don’t know or remember a single person.
Not even the teachers are the same after the redistricting and new school developments that have gone on in the past years. If I don’t remember, how can I expect anyone else to remember me or any of my accomplishments after I am gone?
Each class faces that same dilemma of how to top the last group and of how to leave behind something memorable. Though that may be a daunting task, the Class of ’09 has earned that right.
The three years of tough work, which translates to 540 days, 3780 hours or 226,800 minutes spent during school alone without including extracurricular involvement, has earned us the right to determine how to build our legacies.
This year we both symbolically and physically take the places of the departing Senior Class.
As they march out of this school and leave it behind for good, we must consider what we will do to create our legacy as the new generation of school leaders.
As the next editor in chief of the HiLite, I have large shoes to fill, but the entire staff is responsible for the high caliber of paper that is put out every few weeks, and this fluid group of hard-working students is ready to continue the tradition of excellence.
Next year, readers can look forward to many new features on the Web site, as well as changes to the newspaper itself.
All of these efforts are just a small part of what makes a great product, and this newspaper is just a small part of what makes a great school.
I must admit it; in a school that continually raises the bar, the Class of ’08 has done an outstanding job. The bar is high.
The next class must face the challenge of living up to and surpassing that mark, and at the same time, making those decisions that shape the future of individual students and of this entire school. Now it’s about determining what the effort of the past three years has built up to.
As we step forward, the internal battle of what our lives are supposed to be continues. The sad part is that in four years, few people will remember who we are.
However, we can still hold on to the hope that what we do will make a difference, even if it is just a small part of the larger picture. Then, beyond these corridors and outside these walls, we can hope that our lives will help to change the world.
We will miss our seniors, but we are ready for them to vacate those seats.
Amy Flis is the 15 Minutes of Fame editor for the HiLite. Contact her at aflis@hilite.org.
Relying on friends
May 22, 2008
By: Reid Conner <rconner@hilite.org>
A couple weeks ago I got my driver’s license suspended for 15 days. The details aren’t important, but what is important is that I was completely dependent on my friends and parents to get me to school, work and social events. If they hadn’t been around to give me rides, I wouldn’t have been able to make money, hang out with friends and, worst of all, I would have had to take the bus, every upperclassmen’s worst nightmare.
Thinking about my experience, I have realized how dependent a lot of people, including me, are on their friends, family and especially the technology we use every day. I was almost lost without my car; it was like a part of me was missing. I actually like driving. I like blaring music and being occupied rather than just sitting in the passenger seat staring out a window. I took my right to drive for granted and became so dependent on it that I forgot how hard it can be to make plans work out when I constantly have to rely on other people to work me into their schedule and give me rides.
That said, my friends and parents were great sports about the whole thing. My dad got up before six in the morning on two different Saturdays to drive me to work when he could have been sleeping in. I got rides home from school with a friend who lives in the completely opposite direction. My girlfriend became the driver for a little over two weeks, not only driving me around on the weekend but also giving me rides to school in the morning. A friend of mine even picked me up from work so my mom wouldn’t have to. No one ever gave me a hard time about it or complained; everyone was a huge help and they seemed happy to be helping me.
What would we do without all these people? Whether we know it or not we come to depend on them so much when we need help with something, we almost don’t think about the time they invest in us. And although I’m talking about cars, that isn’t the only technology our generation is hopelessly dependent on.
I, for one, don’t know what I would do without my iPod. God forbid that I actually go back to having to burn CDs to play in my car or listen to the radio when I could just plug my iPod into the stereo. I’m sure a lot of people probably feel the same way. If not about iPods, then I’m sure there are a lot of people who would be helpless without a cell phone.
We live with these helpful little gadgets every day without actually thinking about how much we have come to depend on them. I use my phone to find out when I’m working, to make plans, to remind myself to do things, to ask questions and pretty much anything else I can think of at the time. I don’t think I’ve actually used a house phone for a real conversation in years.
Most high school students would have a tough time making it a week without their cell phone. How would you keep in touch with people? How would you remember to do things or wake up to get home on time in the morning when you’re at a friend’s house?
Dependence on other people and objects is a huge part of life. Without the support of our friends and family and the comfort of our technology, we would have almost nothing. People say they want to be “independent” but there’s really no such thing. Instead of trying so hard to be independent, which is nearly impossible anyway, take comfort in the fact that you have people you can always go to for help when you need it. After all, down the road you may be returning a similar favor to the same person. Reid Conner is a reporter for the HiLite. Contact him at rconner@hilite.org.
Art teacher thanks community for support
May 22, 2008
By: Jonathan Kane
During the past year, a transitional bridge between creating, understanding and appreciating art has been built through a developing relationship between Carmel Galleries, Carmel High School students, and the Carmel community. I am very thankful to be part of a community that is so encouraging and supportive of art.
Robyn Brown and all of the artists at Blue Egg Gallery have been so supportive of the student artists at Carmel, offering workshops and space to exhibit student work alongside their own. The school community connection that we have established has been quite an inspiration.
Susan Moor provided opportunities for my students to present senior exhibitions of their work at Vine and Table Gourmet Market Café. Vine and Table not only provided the space but also a reception with an inviting assortment of appetizers for the student openings.
For the past 12 years, Dawn and Mark Fraley at The Great Frame Up have invited our students to take part in a “Creative Self-Expression” Exhibition. Dawn and Mark professionally frame and hang select pieces, holding an Opening Night in their shop for our students, their families and guests.
My students have been welcomed to several “Conversations with the Artist” at the Lurie Gallery, and this has been wonderful inspiration as we have met with professional artists to discuss their work. Evan Lurie has been so enthusiastic and encouraging as he connects students with working artists.
Thanks to each of the galleries for encouraging my students to believe in their art and in themselves as artists. Creative growth is important as we recognize the significant place that art holds in our lives. A community that reflects this sentiment through arts advocacy reaffirms that this is true even beyond the classroom, and you can never tell where your influence stops.
Art Teacher Jonathan Kane
Election exposes bitter America
May 22, 2008
By: Bennett Fuson
“We need to internalize this idea of excellence. Not many folks spend a lot of time trying to be excellent.”
– Barack Obama, Illinois Senator
I recently spent an afternoon working at a polling station for the Indiana Primary, which, coincidentally, was the state’s most important primary in many years. As a first time voter and slightly under-informed political student, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. But I can say that in the two hours I spent standing and campaigning for a local candidate, I learned a lot about the integrity (or lack thereof) in American politics.
I worked close to a woman who was campaigning for another local office who claimed to be a staunch Republican. In an effort to make conversation, she asked me what party I supported. Since I openly admit I don’t know enough to have a well-based stance, I opt to be called an independent voter. But if you’ve been in a situation where a good first impression essentially defines the immediate future in front of you, you know that sometimes the easier answer makes more sense than the correct answer. So I told her I was Republican (which is sort of true; I was raised Republican).
Big mistake. Republicans, it turns out, are not happy. With anything. For the next two hours, I heard complaints ranging from the increase of socialists (which I’m not sure really exist) at IU to Carmel’s inadequate schooling. But what really struck me was this quote: “You know, Democrats are just so bitter.”
Bitter. The word struck me as odd for two reasons. First, the comment came about a week after Sen. Barack Obama criticized the working class in Pennsylvania, saying that they were “bitter towards the government.” Although the comment (in my opinion) really wasn’t that bad and actually rather true, Obama was written off as an “elitist” by his opponents and the media. But what really got me was the irony of the statement. It didn’t fully hit me until hours later that this woman, who had spent the previous two hours griping about everything except the kitchen sink, had the audacity to turn and label others as bitter.
As I continued reflecting on this statement, a thought hit me. This woman’s sentiments were not isolated. The American people have turned on each other. Flip on any television, and at any moment the latest jab at another candidate becomes breaking news.
Although Obama’s quote was not necessary (and he did apologize), the following controversy brought out the bitterness in both John McCain and Hilary Clinton. McCain, who bears the standard in what could be the Republican’s worst moment since Nixon’s scandal or the Hoover administration, has chosen to focus on Obama’s “elitist” comments rather than his own problems with his continually-changing stances on the Iraq War.
Clinton, who has run what could easily be called a “bitter” campaign since the Florida primary, has used the statement to further divide the Democrats, courting the working class by making them bitter not towards the issues, but towards Obama and his “elitist” supporters.
This isn’t the way democracy is supposed to work. Instead of dividing ourselves between candidates, we should be striving toward agreement for bettering our country. Not political unity; the Founding Fathers couldn’t even agree on everything. But we must recognize that our nation is changing, regardless of who we support or what we say. Instead of remaining “bitter” Americans, let’s become better Americans.
Bennett Fuson is a reporter for the HiLite. Contact him at bfuson@hilite.org.
Softball complex proceeds in face of local opposition
May 22, 2008
By: Grace Baranowski <gbaranowski@hilite.org>
Almost a month ago, on April 28, the Carmel Clay School Board approved the plan to improve the softball fields at Cherry Tree Elementary School. Now, said superintendent of schools Barbara Underwood, “We’re proceeding. We’re in the process of getting permits from the city, reviewing architect plans and putting it out to bid.” Read more
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