3April 2013Hi Times Issue 7 Vol. 104

Autism awarenessBy TaymatoStaff Writer

Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by im-paired social interactment and communication and by restricted and repetitive behavior. There are many different signs of Autism. Some include: hand flapping, head rolling, arranging objects in a straight line, eye poking, skin picking and more. Any of these things could be a sign that a child has Autism. Autism is one of the five pervasive developmental disorders (PDD), which are abnormalities of being social and with communication. The symptoms do not imply sickness, fragility or emotional distur-bance. “I have been teaching for 17 years,” said Mrs. Gray, LPHS teacher. When I first started teaching, I did not hear the word autistic very often. Through the years, I have been working with students more and more who fall into the autism spectrum.” Every doctor who deals with a child who has Autism says that social interaction is very important. It has been said that even if the autistic child does not physically play with the other child, just hav-ing the two in the same room together can be progressive. “I have a cousin who has Autism,” said Mrs. Keirn, LPHS teacher. “I have always wanted to help students like him. I think a lot of people look down on students and people who are different.” Eating is also a huge part of being autistic. Some children become picky with what they eat and end up lacking in nutrition. They re-fuse to eat foods that the average child would eat and decide that they would like to eat more snacks than a meal with the proper nu-trients. “Social interaction is extremely important,” said Gray. “There is no one in my family that has Autism, but I have a friend who mar-ried a man who is considered to have high functioning autism which is Asperger’s Syndrome. It’s important to look at the strengths and weaknesses of that person and then treat them with respect.” There is a walk for Autism in Chicago at Soldier Field on May 18 of this year. It is the 10th anniversary for Autism Speaks. Sign up on the official website and show support for children and adults dealing with this disorder.

Minimum wage fails to fluctuateBy Pretty ChinEditor-in-Chief

Many low-wage workers are reeling after President Obama called on Congress to raise the minimum wage from $7.25 to $9 at the State of the Union address on Feb. 12. This proposal has come after many attempts to reduce income in-equality by tax credits, an expansion on health insurance and educa-tion. The White House said that raising minimum wage would posi-tively effect low-income families without burdening businesses or raising unemployment rates. Some stores have supported an increase of minimum wage as a way to reduce employee turnovers, and improve productivity. However, this idea loved by many is frowned upon by companies. Companies, big or small hire low-wage workers and they don’t want minimum wage to be increased because it would heighten their cost of business. This proposal would oversee that federal floor on hourly wages reach $9 in stages by the end of 2015. Economics teacher Mr. Manering said, “Raising the minimum wage would give some people more money, but some prices would increase. Also more money being made means more in income taxes, social security taxes and etc. I would imagine there would be a factor in our economy but, it may or may not be significant.” On March 15, The House rejected the idea to raise minimum wage to $10.10. This 233-184 defeat also showed that there were major contrasting ideas. The president wanted to raise minimum wage to $9, while the congressional democrats pushed for a raise from $7.25 to $10.10. Every republican present at the time of the vote decided to vote against the raise. Along with them six democrats also voted against the raise. Democrats thought this raise could have applied to 30 million workers, and by raising the rate it could have paid for itself because businesses would have had to pay more. In return to businesses pay-ing more, they would have seen more customers with more money.

Vintage clothing makes a comebackBy TaymatoStaff Writer

Fashion is everywhere. There are new trends every season and that means new things to wear. It seems that, as of now, vin-tage clothing has become in-creasingly popular. Items such as floral shirts, high wasted jeans, hats, feathers and long necklaces have been seen all around LPHS and around the rest of the world as well. “I have always loved fashion,” said junior Lindsey Galloway. “I hope to work in the fashion business.” There are many ways some-one can find out what is hot on the fashion charts. They could search up clothing websites, talk to friends and buy maga-zines such as “Seventeen” and “Vogue.” Students, as well as the aver-age Joe, are continuously find-ing different combinations of clothing that make them stand out in a crowd. One could match black tights with a pair of high waisted shorts and a flo-ral top. Finish it up with dressy shoes and a strand of necklaces and there it is! “I dress the way I do because it is a way to express myself,” said Galloway. “I view fashion as an art, so I don’t understand why people want to wear the same thing. When I go shopping, I look for clothing that I like, not what everyone else likes.” Clothing is a way to express one’s personality or what they like. It seems like lots of stu-dents at LPHS are doing just that through vintage clothing.

LPHS teachers featured in symphony orchestra

By GoatlordStaff Writer

On Saturday March 16, the LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra performed a classical concert at Portage High School and on Sunday March 17 at the Elston Performing Arts Center in Michigan City at 2:00 p.m. The orchestra played many pieces of classical music from the past. Some pieces they performed in-clude: Tchaikovskys’ Symphony No. 5, Lackeys’ Overture of the Seasons and Stravinskys’ Dumbar-ton Oaks. Violin Soloist Danielle Belen, the 15th annual Sphinx Competition Winner, performed Piazzollas’ Verano Porteno. She has soloed with groups all across the U.S. including the Pittsburgh and Atlanta Symphonies. Belen graduated at USC Thornton School of music and the Colburn Conservatory in Los Angeles. She is now on faculty at Colburn and has a growing violin studio of her own. Local teacher Jenn Mount and Chuck Steck performed perform in the LCSO. Mount plays the viola, the instrument she has loved since she was in fifth grade. Steck plays the trumpet, an instrument he loves for the different sound and extensive range. Steck said, “Being a part of the LCSO has allowed me to experience so many different types of music, well beyond just classical music.” Steck grew up being surrounded by music due to the fact that his parents were musically involved, as well as other family members. Mount said, “I love classical music, so I enjoy it. It is very challenging played in the LCSO, and I feel I have gotten better at playing the viola. I also enjoy the people in the orchestra, especially Mr. Collins and Mr. Steck.” As well as Steck, Mount also grew up surrounded by music. Her grandmother was a concert pia-nist and also sang along with her grandfather. Her uncle also sang baritone for the San Francisco opera and is still very much involved.

Survive the final stretchBy Black MagicStaff Writer

Don’t fear LPHS students! There are currently only 47 days left until the last day of school which means pushing yourself to excel aca-demically can be a hassle. During the final stretch of the school year, students find themselves struggling to maintain a decent grade point average while looking forward to the summer break, just out of their reach. Most of the LPHS students have summer vacations planned and some plan on just catching a few more hours of sleep. The last thing on their minds would be a tough math test or a crazy science final. Junior Anastasia Merkel said, “The final trimester is hard. With it being softball season and the last trimester, I’m busy anyways and I don’t feel like doing any more work.” Some good tips on succeeding are to set long term and short term goals for ones’ self. If the goal is to get a B+ in a hard class, consider going in for help from the teacher after school and before school. Take every extra credit possibility. Freshman Lauryn Hasselfeldt said, “Well first off, I have to do well because of my parents. I have to keep my grades up or I’ll be living in my room with no phone, iPad, T.V. Nothing. Also just thinking about going to college and how getting good grades will allow me to continue my education and being successful in life.” Also, one should talk to their parents about good grade “incen-tives”, such as $5 for every A on the report card or going out to dinner for good grades. Senior Lucas Lanie said, “I keep in mind that college will be ap-proaching fast so I need to focus on maintaining my grades to be more prepared when that time comes.” Stay focused LPHS students! Summer is approaching soon so end the year on a superior note with good grades and a good attitude.

The trends are growing away from certain brands like Hollis-ter and Aeropostale and going to unique, old fashioned cloth-ing from thrift shops or garage sales. Even if vintage clothing is becoming very big, there are still certain students that do not wear that kind of clothing. They decide on being different in their own way. “Well, I kind of am interested in fashion,” said junior Cindy Frank. “No one really dresses

like me. Even if I don’t wear what most people would call unique, I still have my own style.” Whether it be vintage cloth-ing or something else, fashion is always out there. Stop at the local thrift store and browse the racks or may-be get up early on a Saturday morning and see what garage sales have to offer. There are surprises around every corner and a pair of vintage jeans or colorful rings might be it.

Photo by Taymato

Junior Lindsey Galloway shows off her spring style.

Photo by GoatlordMr. Steck demonstrates his musical skills.