Civil Engagement

Quincey Hess

For our social studies department here at PHS, a new program that seeks to foster a sense of civic duty within our students was organized from September 17 to September 21 called Civic Engagement Week. The concept of Civic Engagement week was conceived when Mr. Olsen read of a similar program instituted within the Lafayette Jefferson School Corporation that nearly doubled the county’s turnout rate at the ballot. Mr. Olsen then reached out to Mrs. Kruyer and the rest of the social studies department, who felt equally enthusiastic about the idea, and proceeded to put together a plan.

Mrs. Kruyer said, “Being the social studies department, our whole reason for existence is to promote civic engagement and participation within our system of government."

The topics addressed during Civic Engagement Week include; the judicial system, voter stories, every-vote-counts, disagreeing politically, respectful discourse, state legislature, and the importance of participating in the democratic process. A variety of speakers were in attendance sharing their thoughts on the different points discussed throughout the week. Judge Dean Colvin visited Monday to address the role of the judicial branch within the government.

On the topic of objectivity and proper procedure within the courtroom, Judge Colvin said, “It’s important that you leave the courtroom feeling that you’ve been treated fairly.”

On Tuesday, the students who participated in Civic Engagement Week reviewed the arguments for and against lowering the voting age to 16, then wrote a brief passage about their own position on the issue. On Wednesday four guest speakers and PHS teacher and Scotland native Mr. Masson met with students in the studio theater to share personal voting experiences. During the conference, much emphasis was put on the duty of a U.S citizen to make use of their right to vote.

Offering a description of his first time voting, Mr. Masson said, “I had tears in my eyes. It was the greatest day. You just got a feeling. I was able to give back and do my part for a country that has given me so much.”

Guest speaker Attorney Rick Huff said, “You’re going to hear it [voting] is your privilege, and it is. You’re going to hear people sacrificed for your right to vote, and they did. You’re going to hear that it is your duty to vote, and if you don’t you have no right to complain. It’s true. However, the reason I’m telling you to vote is because voting is necessary to the survival of democracy.”

On Thursday, the role of state legislature, both in the government and the daily lives of U.S. citizens, was introduced and discussed.

In relation to the topic of making decisions revolving state legislature, State Representative Tim Harman said, “My first duty as a State Rep. is to the will of my district.”

During Civic Engagement Week on Friday, students were issued the Voter Challenge. This extra credit assignment encourages students to identify five people in their life eligible to vote, ensure that those people are registered to vote, and write a reflection over what they learned over the course of Civic Engagement Week.

Student reaction was varied to this new course in civic responsibility. However, appreciation for the chance to learn more about civic duties appears to be a common theme among most students.

Junior Scarlet Gibson said, “I think Civic Engagement was good for students. Some people might not know what to think necessarily, because it might be new to them. So, hearing other peoples’ stories might help them realize how important it is. I enjoyed it. I thought it was really interesting. My favorite part was when they shared their voter stories. I got to see it through their eyes.” Gibson’s positive outlook of this event was confirmed by her fellow classmates.

Junior Ellie Lee said, “I think that it motivates people to get involved, and make their voice heard.”

Though it is intended for this program to be implemented again in the future, in may be on an every other year basis due to the difficulty of organizing such a complex, interactive course.

Reflecting on the overall impression she had of the program, Mrs. Kruyer said, “I was very pleased with the amount of people within the community and school corporation who stepped forward and said I want to be apart of this. Many are Plymouth graduates or transplants from other areas. They just jumped on it. It really does show, I think, what's special about Plymouth."

Homecoming

Alexa Orozco

Homecoming week: Students decked out in their class colors as they cheered on their champions. They competed in the class games and “wows” were heard throughout as class banners were released. Homecoming queen candidates threw candy at the classes and football players were acknowledged in anticipation for the game. Cries soon turned to silence as the winner for the pep session was announced. Victory cries from the Juniors filled the gym as they stormed down the bleachers to claim the spirit stick.

Junior Class President Olive Stanton said, “When the junior class won the pep session, it was a pure surprise.”

This crazy week was all leading up to the Rockies taking on the Wawasee Warriors with a win of 28-14 and a newly crowned Homecoming Queen, Olyvia Clark.

Clark said, “My heart just stopped and I was really excited. It was awesome because all the other queen candidates were so supportive and congratulating me. I was thinking, ‘Oh my god, this is so awesome.’”

Throughout the week, students showed their HOCO spirit leading up to the Friday pep session.

Late start Monday was the perfect set-up for Pajama Day, a day where students wore cozy clothes. On Tuesday, the school was a mix of senior citizens, college preppies, embarrassing parents, and newborn babies as Generation Day took hold. Wednesday, classes went Hollywood as movie and tv characters strolled the halls on Favorite Movie/Character Day. Thursday looked like a complex stadium as rival sports teams were forced to walk the same halls on Jersey Day. Finally, on Friday students dressed up in their class colors with Seniors wearing black, Juniors wearing red, Sophomores wearing white, and Freshman wearing grey.

Homecoming queen nominees chosen by the Rockies were Mary Beatty, Makena Carmichael, Kaitlyn Carothers, Kelsey Owen and winner, Olyvia Clark.

Clark said, “Thank you[student body] very much, it feels amazing and it’s very inspiring to know that so many people love you and that people look up to you.”

Chinese Club Field Trip

Quincey Hess

As many continue to work in order to make their communities gradually more inclusive and multicultural, it’s important to take note of the successes in this avenue within our own community. On September 16, 2018 members of the Chinese Club here at PHS as well as Chinese language learners from LJH attended the Friendship Lasts Forever music festival, a concert that has been held this year and the year previous within Chicago to celebrate China’s and America’s friendship as two leading nations.

The students started off their afternoon in Chicago by getting lunch at a traditional Chinese restaurant located in Chinatown.

Junior Chinese Club Treasurer, Scarlet Gibson said, “I enjoyed when we ate. Not because of the food necessarily, but because we got to experience a traditional [Chinese] family dining experience. I can see why it’s really pushed, because it makes you more aware of the people around you and their needs.”

The students then visited various markets within Chinatown, many at the recommendation of the Chinese teacher at PHS and organizer of the trip Ms. Guan. This was followed by a stop at the Chinese American Museum of Chicago, which details the complex history and lifestyle of Chinese Americans within Chicago.

Nicholas Vanblaricm said, “I liked when we went to the Chinese American Museum, and they showed us a short film about the lives of several different Chinese Americans.”

After browsing through the museum, PHS’s Chinese Club finally attended the concert. A great deal of choir and orchestra members, vocalists, and dancers clothed in traditional Chinese garb from both throughout the Midwest and China entranced the audience during this nearly 4-hour long concert.

Remarking on her experience at the concert, Autumn Timm said, “It showed the cooperation between Chinese people and American people. It demonstrated that it is easy to get along regardless of nationality.”

Latino Festival

Nicole Keller

With the Latino community increasing in the city of Plymouth, Latino Festival strives to meet the needs of the Latino and American cultures to encourage a more diverse atmosphere. Latino Festival took place on September 15, 2018. This was the third year of Latino Festival, and the crowds seemed to be just as prevalent in past years. Parks Department Director, Allie Shook, estimated around 3,000 attendees from the 2017 Latino Festival, and estimates the same amount for the 2018 festival.

It was not simply vendors that helped make the event a success, but also Plymouth High School students from various clubs and organizations. These parties included: Key Club, Multicultural Club, National Honor Society, Faith in Indiana, and the Plymouth Mayor’s Youth Council. Each of these clubs had a vital role to play in the success of the festival.

Key Club volunteers, Julia Patrick and Olyvia Clark helped managed the Loteria activity, along with monitoring the Bouncy Houses.

Senior Julia Patrick said, “My favorite part about helping at Latino Festival was seeing elements of a culture I am not a member of.”

This cultural appreciation was noted by other volunteers as well, like Olyvia Clark.

Clark said, “Everyone looked genuinely happy...the loud music, the taco trucks, and watching all of the dancing.”

This positive environment could be accredited to other groups such as Multicultural club. Multicultural club hosted a face painting booth for children’s enjoyment. Some of the members of Multicultural club that assisted included, Sophie Smith, Fernanda Cortes, and Kelsey Kruyer.

Junior Kelsey Kruyer said, “ Talking with the kids was so much fun. A ton of them were very open when talking about their culture.”

Numerous other students participated and helped in Latino Festival, but one student in particular was directly involved in the coordinating the festival itself. Mayor’s Youth Council, Multicultural, National Honor Society, and Key Club member, Leslie Dorantes sat on the Latino Festival committee and was delegated to maintain the activities for the day.

Senior Leslie Dorantes said, “I really wanted to help coordinate [the festival] because it was all about the Latino community. I’m Latina, and I wanted to make sure everything was authentic and that the Latino community could come out and imagine themselves back in their home countries.”

In order for Leslie to verify this level of cultural immersion occured, she included Pinatas, Loteria, and Bouncy Houses for fun and cultural for the children that attended the Latino Festival. Leslie Dorantes fundraised hundreds of dollars in order to support the mission of more diverse community. Dorantes’ motive for the project, was close to her heart.

Dorantes added, “Being someone who grew up in a different country that was not considered “Latino”, it can be difficult to learn about my own heritage. But, by having, and organizing event like Latino Festival I can educate myself on where I come from.”

The 2018 Latino Festival was a success one again this year, and community members are already planning for events for the 2019 year. If students are interested in becoming involved with Latino Festival, they can join the clubs that participated or contact Leslie Dorantes about coordinating with the Latino Festival Committee.