Issue 6

Spring Sports

Cam Weidner

Spring is almost here and that means our PHS sports teams are ready to blossom into the 2019 season hoping for a sectional title. I checked in with a couple of seniors who play spring sports Cole Filson and Bryce Carmichael. I asked who inspired you to play this sport and both had the same answer of “My dad taught me how to play and I have just grown to like playing this sport”. There was never a time when Cole wanted to quit baseball and he said "I never had that thought. I have grown to love baseball and I enjoy playing baseball." I asked Bryce the same question and he said "Golf has never made me want to quit. It's a game that makes me relaxed and makes me have fun and it's the reason why I continue to play."

Speech Sectionals

Cristian Quintana

The PHS Speech Team is looking ready as ever. The Sectionals for the 2018-19 season was no challenge for Plymouth as they dominated Sectionals with 232 points! The Speech Team also had individual winners in 13/14 events, making this a school record. Coach David Mckenzie and many of the players felt very confident on their Sectional matchup February 23. 36 of the 39 entries are advancing to the State Finals and will travel to Fishers for the IHSFA State Tournament.

There is a great variety of underclassman and upperclassman this year and the upperclassman are impressed by their performances this year. The seniors and juniors also say that they are at their best and are prepared for State.

Coach Mckenzie, a long time coach for the Speech Team was able to share some thoughts that he had on the team and Speech overall.

Coach Mckenzie said,“The success isn't exactly recent as a trait. Plymouth finished 2nd in its first Sectional back in the early 1980s. Starting the next year, Plymouth won the Sectional championship and hasn't lost since. I don't think anyone on the team expects a different result this year.”With that said it seems the confidence is way up for Mckenzie and doesn’t seem to be going away with any nervousness. With a dominating win, the team should be exploding with confidence now.

The upperclassmen showed some confidence in the team as well. Senior Elizabeth Mendez who has been in Speech for her all PHS career is ready to take on her final Speech playoff run for PHS.

With some thoughts on the future Senior Elizabeth Mendez said this, “Our freshman members have had an amazing season so far. They are always so motivated to do their best, and you can definitely tell based on their performances.”

Elizabeth seems to have great confidence on the young team and their potential.

Mendez also said,“In my opinion, Munster High School has always been a team that we view as a challenge. All of their members are great competitors, but there are a couple of individuals that are known to regularly take first place. Personally, this scares me a little, but at the end of the day, it's not how others do, it's how you performed.” That did not seem to focus-breaker for the team as they did incredible on Saturday.

All the 45 minute practices and extensive prep before competitions leds to this moment, sectionals. Even with all this preparation there is still some nervousness with players, but they seem to be holding it together. Even after the seniors are gone next year the underclassmen seem to be showing great potential. In conclusion, the team is showing great confidence and their Sectional win for Plymouth was just one of their great stepping stones. Come see the Speech team in action again at Districts this Saturday, March 2nd.

Crazy Town Theatre

Chloe Garner

If you’re looking for a crazy weekend, check out our Theatre Department’s new play, Crazytown! The Advanced Acting class has been working on this play since the start of the second semester. The play is a comedy that takes place in “the wackiest town in America.”

Two seniors, Levi Crawford and Katy Smith, a junior, Ali Mangas, and a sophomore, Emma Kruyer said that most actors/actresses play five or six characters, as the play features about 100 characters! The show consists of a bunch of random skits that somehow come together like puzzle pieces to create an intricate story.

Kruyer shared, “For one of the scenes, two kids see how many marshmallows they could fit in their mouth. We tested it out one day in class and nobody could stop laughing as they stuffed their faces. This is another hilarious scene to be looking for in the show!”

Crawford said that his favorite scene was a karaoke at the end of the show, as it gets the whole cast involved and the songs are so over the top, it’s a blast to perform!”

All of the actors said that opening night was the key night to come to play.

Smith stated, “There’s nothing like the energy on the first night of performances for the audience and the performers.” Although they all agreed that any show of the two were acceptable, opening night is generally the most energetic.

Mangas said, “If I could tell the audience anything, it would be to have an open mind and get ready for some crazy scenes!”

Crawford shared, “This show is absolutely INSANE and HILARIOUS, so if you want to see a show that’ll keep you laughing in your seats all night, this is the one.”

The show is set to be performed at the PHS auditorium Friday, March 15, and Saturday, March 16. Both shows will be at 7:00pm. Actors and actresses alike guaranteed that you will be dying of laughter in your seats (figuratively, of course.)

As Crawford quotes, “Every moment is just another step closer to utter insanity in all its glory!”

It only takes one

Topanga Deon

The Lady Pilgrims surprised the crowd by bringing home the Sectional trophy against Elkhart Central. The Pilgrims worked hard all season for this win. They went into Sectionals with a positive attitude and fought for every game. With only a few seconds left on the clock, Junior Sydnee Weir took a shot to put the Pilgrims up by one to win the sectionals.

Weir said, “It felt great to make the winning shot. It's a feeling not everyone can experience and I am so thankful I was able to experience that. But over all that game was 100% a team effort.”

With that being said, it now brings us to Senior Halle Richard.

Richard said, “I think our chemistry and the time we have played together has helped us win games and the sectional. It was the craziest, most surreal feeling that will last a lifetime. I think we just realized what we’re capable of and worked for super hard in practice every day, so coming into sectionals we were ready.”

To be apart of bringing the trophy home is a big deal and is a moment each and every player and coach will cherish forever.

The Pilgrims moved on to Regionals against Penn High School Saturday, February 16th. Unfortunately they lost and ended the season for the Lady Pilgrims But the girls didn’t hang their heads, they knew that had done well this season and we’re very proud of all their hard work.

Elearning

Topanga Deon

“Buenos dias yo soy Andy Hartley” When most Students hear this they know exactly what it is. It’s our favorite message after having a two hour delay, no school. But unfortunately eLearning is still required..

We all know the drill, fill out the eLearning day form by three pm, and finish your assignments. While some students wake up bright and early to do their assignments, others stay in bed and play on their phones and watch Netflix, or maybe even play video games.

Freshman Ashley Gann said, “I would rather have extra school days, than eLearning. That’s the thing that brings my grades down the most”

Most math teachers will send a video to their students every eLearning day. Each Student is required to take notes on a piece of paper and send a picture of their paper to the teacher before 11:59pm.

Freshman Emma warren said, “I would rather have eLearning days because it has us do things we would do in class anyways and I don’t want to take away from my summer”

Phs is only allowed to have three eLearning days before they have to have makeup days at the end of the school year. On the positive side they have built in makeup days just incase.

Road to State: Graham Calhoun

Alissa Knapp

For Rockie wrestler Graham Calhoun, was a pretty exciting weekend as he headed to State. Weighing in at 170 pounds, junior Calhoun will faced the best wrestlers around the area all for the common goal, to place first at State. Calhoun placed 5th in state after he wrestled Joseph Walker.

As Calhoun prepares to get on the mat, Calhoun said “I try to just do the same things that I did to get me in this position. The biggest thing to do at this point, for a tournament like this, is to just get your mind right and make sure you go into the tournament feeling good. So I guess the answer to this question would be doing what we’ve done all along, while getting my mind and body prepared as much as possible.”

To stay in shape year round, Graham also participates in out of school wrestling leagues to get his name out in the open for colleges to notice him. Going to State is nothing new for Calhoun, as Calhoun has been to State every year since starting high school. Calhoun his older brother Micah went to State together, forming an unforgettable memorable moment for the Calhoun brothers. In preparation for his journey to State, Calhoun received a sent off from his friends at PHS during Advisory. Along with this, last Thursday Calhoun was recognized at the boys basketball game for his success.

Ideal Ladies

Alivia Simpson

Being able to have someone to look up to, watch grow, and someone who made the biggest impact on you. That is the whole point of ideal sisters!

PHS club, Sunshine society planned the ideal sisters project. Each student was able to pick someone who had the biggest impact on their life and that person received flowers.

Senior, Celia Robinson, chose her grandma, Linda Felke, as her ideal sister.

Senior, Mary Beatty, states “My ideal lady’s reaction when I gave her flowers was a hug and a huge thank you text.”

Mrs. Flynn is one of the sponsors for this club. Mrs. Flynn loves the Ideal Lady selection. Seniors, invite their ideal ladies to lunch that is held every year in May to honor their Ideal Lady and their mothers.

Mrs. Flynn says, “ It is often very emotional because they all have the opportunity to get up and speak to why they chose their Ideal Lady and what impact they have had in their lives. Many tears are shed by our seniors and these amazing women in their life.”

Mrs. James and Mrs. Flynn have invited their seniors to her house before the Christmas holidays to make a gift for their Ideal Lady.

Mrs. Flynn says, “ I personally have been chosen a few times by girls over the years. It is an amazing feeling as an Ideal Lady to know that you have an impact on a young girls life.”

1000 points

Grayson Meadors

For Basketball Seniors Clay Hilliard and Halle Reichard it was a pretty extraordinary moment for them! Both Seniors hit their 1000 point mark in their career over four seasons of high school basketball! Hilliard and Reichard both agreed on having to work at the goal of scoring a thousand points. Both Seniors also admitted that it helped that they were already good shooters.

Halle said, “I managed to do this, because all of the time I put into basketball outside of high school.” Halle was very determined to achieve this goal. Halle and Clay both received basketballs on Saturday February 23rd to recognize their achievement of 1000 points!

Hilliard said, “When I was a freshman I had a goal of someday reaching 1000 points, so yes I did plan to accomplish it. I managed to do this based off hard work in the off season and teammates that are willing to screen for me and help get me open. Being a good shooter helped a lot, but because the guys on the team have gotten me the ball when I am open for the last three seasons it has helped tremendously.”

Students sell for a cause

Emma Warren

There is about 1,735,350 new cases of cancer each year in America, what are the chances this could be you or a loved one? Freshman at Plymouth High School are raising money for a great cause. The move the students make goes to cancer research. Freshman Aumrie Weiss, is making a clay flower pot with mini plants to sell for her project.

The WSOI Freshman body are excited to let their creativity show while raising money. The student have learned clay and art techniques from art teacher Miss Church. She led the students into clay on Tuesday, the 22nd of January. She taught them how to make a simple pinch pot, to get them started, then the students started their own projects prepared.

Freshman Corinne Rhodes said, "I am making an angel to sell for Clay for Cancer. I think since I have a sentimental meaning behind the angel. It will help me raise more money at the auction."

The silent auction will be held on March 4th from 5-7pm.

Say Hey to 44k

Kelsey Owen

Plymouth High School Riley Dance Marathon does not just reach their goals, but they exceed them by $4,500.94. This great achievement took place on Friday February 9th when a huge fundraiser took place at Plymouth High School. The Riley Dance Marathon goal was to raise $40,000, but they ended up raising $44,500.94 for the kids at Riley Hospital.

The students at PHS put a considerable amount of effort into raising money for the kids.

Junior Kenzie Snyder said, “When I found out that 44k was raised, I was super shocked. I really didn’t know how to react at first but then I kind of was like “LET’S GOOOOO.”

Crazy reactions like this are very common as Senior Jesus Luva had a similar one.

Luva said, “When I saw the 44.5K being raised I immediately jumped for joy and was completely ecstatic.”

PHS students care so much about raising money for the kids. This is illustrated when junior Mary Kate stated, “I care about Riley Hospital for children because every kid deserves someone who will stand up and fight for them.”

Similarly, Luva stated, “I care so much about fundraising for Riley Hospital for Children because they give children the chance to be children. They give them love, care, joy, and the ability to keep fighting even when they’re facing issues.”

All of the money raised for this annual fundraiser helps Riley Hospital for Children put beautiful smilies on kids faces. Furthermore, the $44.5K raised at PHSDM goes towards the magic castle cart and palliative care unit at Riley Hospital. PHSDM has the ability to raise this much money due to local business donors and peer to peer fundraising.

The amount of effort that the students at Plymouth High School put in to raise money is immense. Junior Joe Barron set a goal to raise $500 for the kids. However, when he met his goal he did not stop there. He continued to fundraise and ended up raising $1,185. This was also illustrated by Junior Mary Kate Flynn when she started her goal at $1,000, but nearly raised $2,000.

Nevertheless, PHS is 100% FOR THE KIDS and very excited to raise $45K next year.

Preparing for the SAT

Bryan Mullins

As PHS gets closer and closer to the SAT on March 9th, Ye Pilgrim has asked students how they study best. A very popular, and probably the best place, to study for the SAT is, Khan Academy, a website that has been used by not only students, but also teachers for studying and teaching for many years. Khan Academy has also been featured by the College Board, and the official SAT Practice test, which can be found on CollegeBoard.org, is actually through Khan Academy. The practice test located on Khan Academy, was created in a partnership with the College Board, and allows you to connect your College Board account, in order to use your past PSAT Scores to get a better practice experience, based off of the score that you received.

Many Students at PHS, when asked, stated that the best time to study for the PSAT is afterschool and with plenty of time to prepare. Jessika Cuatlacuatl stated “I believe that if you want to feel completely confident, it's best to study a few months before the test.” Jessika also feels that your study time will affect your score stating, “I feel that if you want to have a high score for your S.A.T you will work for that and find time to study, but some don't really prepare for the S.A.T which is fine too, you just might not get the score you want.”

Preparation is very important for any test, especially a test as big as the SAT. It is always best to prepare yourself for the test and think about the things that make you nervous, and work on being less nervous about these things before taking the test.

ISTEP testing

Grace Erdelyi

The Indiana Department of Education requires that every Sophomore must participate in the ISTEP test. Everyone must pass the ISTEP test in order to graduate. Part one of the ISTEP test occured on February 26th, 27th, and the 28th. Part two of the test will occur in mid-April. Testing began each day at 7:55 am. Students should plan on being at school on time to take the test.

Lots of people have different opinions on the ISTEP Test. Sophomore Jonathan Hernandez said, “I don’t think the ISTEP is necessary. I don’t see how a test can show what I know and don’t know.” Sophomore Jenna Abberger said, “I don’t really think ISTEP testing is important. I feel like there is better ways to test our knowledge besides standardized testing.”

Other people disagree. Sophomore Rose Wallace said, “I feel that the ISTEP is important because it makes sure that we know necessary information that will help us succeed in the future.”

Abberger said, “My favorite part of the ISTEP is getting it over with.”

Hernandez said, “I like the math part of the test. Math just comes really easy to me so I am confident I will pass this portion.”

It is important for students at PHS to be prepared for the ISTEP test.

Sophomore Grayson Meadors said “I will prepare for the ISTEP by getting a good night’s sleep and eating breakfast.”

Sophomore Rose Wallace said, “I am preparing for the ISTEP Test by studying subjects that I struggle with in my free time and by asking for help when I need it.”

Dream Destination America

Mia Rachenzentner

America, the country of Hollywood, glamour, big cities and burger. A place in which nearly every teens dream to visit once. That’s why so many teenagers decide to do an exchange year to the U.S. every year. Agencies offer different types of exchanges around all over the world, with different stay durations. Students have the opportunity to choose their dream country and will stay there for either six or ten months in a host family. The aim of that life changing experience is to get to live in a different culture and participate in the normal everyday life of that country. In addition, students will also learn their guest country's language perfectly with the length of their stay.

But an exchange year takes a lot more than just the will to do one. First, it is very cost-intensive. The whole stay, depending on the length is around $10 000-$15 000 but most agencies offer different financial supports which makes it possible for a lot more students. After the financial part is settled, the whole registration process starts. That part can be very nasty and nerve wracking but it’s the start of a whole new chapter and most of the registrations are easy to do. The application is all settled and now it’s just a matter of time, when you get to know who your host family is. That’s the most exciting part besides the actual arrival day. As soon as you know who you are staying with and the exact city, the journey begins. That also means leaving your family, friends cultural habits at home and opening up to a new life for that period. Adapting to an unknown territory is at first scary and overwhelming but the hard part at the beginning will pay off and changes you in so many ways.

Basically an exchange year has so many more benefits than just learning the language. Educationally it teaches you problem solving skills because during that period you mostly have to look after yourself. In addition to that you also learn the awareness and adoption of alternative, multi-faceted approaches. Personally you will self-develop and build up your self-esteem as well as self-confidence. But there is so much more that exchange years change but in a positive way.

Not only do exchanges affect the exchange students themself but also the host families which open their houses to a stranger. Most of the time they do not even get anything in exchange for their generosity.

Junior Kyla Heckaman, whose family is hosting a foreign student from Austria said,

“Hosting Mia has been amazing so far, despite the awful weather we have had since she arrived. This experience is new for all of us being that she has never been an exchange student before and my family has never hosted a student, but it is a great experience that not very many get to have. I definitely have learned a lot about her culture as well as the vast differences between ours and hers. I really am hoping to be able to visit her when she goes back to meet her family in person, who also seem extremely nice. I can’t wait to show her more American things, especially when the weather warms up again.”

Chinese New Year

Quincey Hess

Foregoing vocabulary and grammar rules for a day, Chinese students meet in the FACS classroom to make traditional Chinese food in celebration of Chinese New Year.

Chinese New Year is a festival celebrating the beginning of the New Year on the Chinese Lunar Calendar. The Chinese New Year begins on the day of the new moon between the 21st of January and the 20th of February. This year, Chinese New Year took place on February 5th. Though Chinese New Year is celebrated in a variety of different ways throughout China, there are some common customs and traditions. For one, the night prior to the Chinese New Year is typically considered a night on which to gather with one’s extended family and enjoy dinner together. It also common for Chinese families to meticulously clean their house prior to the New Year, in order to remove any bad luck and make way for good luck. Some traditional Chinese New Year decorations include red paper-cuts, and couplets inscribed upon red paper. These decorations are affixed on doors and windows in order to create a festive atmosphere and feature a family’s hopes for the upcoming year. A popular custom during Chinese New Year is for children to wish the elder members of their family a prosperous year-to-come and, in return, for the elder members of the family to give the children a red envelope containing a modest amount of money. Some foods traditionally eaten during Chinese New Year include dumplings, spring rolls, and nian gao (a cake made of steamed glutinous rice that is eaten almost exclusively during the Chinese New Year).

The Chinese Classes here at PHS hold an annual celebration for Chinese New Year. This year, Ms. Guan handed out red envelopes containing various amount of Yuan, or Chinese money. Moreover, each class took one day of from studying Chinese in order to try their hand at making traditional Chinese food within the FACs classroom. Chinese 2 students made 炒饭

(Chǎofàn) or fried rice. Chinese 3 students made 饺子（Jiǎozi) or dumplings. Chinese 4 students made 孢子（Bāozi) or steamed buns with filling.

PHS Chinese teacher Ms. Guan said, “I like looking at the students and seeing how they’re really enjoying making the food and learning how Chinese people celebrate Chinese New Year. We are making dumplings or 包子, it’s all the traditional food that we eat during the New Year time. So, they can kind of experience what the people actually do in China.”

Delving into the traditions and customs of the Chinese New Year serves as an interesting departure from usual, everyday curriculum that can be seen within the Chinese Classroom. This presents the question, what is the importance of teaching not just a language but a culture?

Addressing this topic, Senior and Chinese IV student Parker Gamble said, “I think it’s really important to understand global cultures in an increasingly global world and to really understand that you have to actually experience it. It’s a valuable first hand experience for us.”

PHS Chinese teacher Ms. Guan said, “I think when you learn the culture, it will motivate you to learn the language better. The student will have more interest in interacting with different cultures.”

Overall, the practice appears to be greatly loved by the Chinese students and a point of contention when they attempt to convince other students the merits of joining Chinese.

Junior and Chinese IV student Scarlet Gibson said, “I think Chinese is such a valuable language and kinda like Parker touched on, it keeps expanding. Learning any language helps you, but especially Chinese, especially in a business sense, I think that it is really important if you want to have more opportunities than other people. I feel like Chinese is such a deep, rich culture, and I think it’s really fun. It’s something different that I don’t think many people can say they do right now. I think overall it would be a good experience for everyone to step out of their comfort zone. Choose Chinese!”

Fashion Club Fundraiser

Bryan Mullins

The Fashion Club at PHS that was started this year, by PHS Senior Emily Thompson. Emily started this club because of her dream to go to a fashion school in California, and decided that it would be a good idea to start a fashion club through this college and she also wanted a place where students could get together and share their creativity, and getting involved with the club is very simple, all you’d have to do is email, Emily and start coming to the meetings.

The PHS Fashion Club will be holding a fundraiser in the weeks after Spring Break, this fundraiser will include scrunchies and lanyards which will be sold at lunch, and then also a Hacienda Fundraiser in which a percentage of the Hacienda proceeds will be given to the fashion club. The date of the fundraiser is still up for discussion, however Ye Pilgrim will have an update on the fundraiser for our April Issue.

Robotics Tournament

Alissa Knapp

Did you say robots? That’s right our very own Robotics club recently traveled to Jay County to show off the robots they’ve been diligently working on. The robotics team has seven teams that work on robots to compete in the qualifying rounds. Seven teams reached higher up on the placements with 586 A which consists of both seniors Lily Wallace and Luke Walters placing second. While another team 586 B placed fourth due to some mechanical errors that was the highest they could advance. The team is staying strong and waited for the 23rd to improve for the Crown Point competition.

ISSMA State

Sydney Cochran

Many talented choir students went to Perry Meridian High School in Indianapolis on February 16th for the Indiana State School Music Association solo and ensemble state contest. A total of 13 soloist and three ensembles attended state this year.

Senior Nikki Laucis said, “I was looking forward to competing against myself and receiving a gold for my solo that I worked so hard for.”

The 13 soloist include senior Braeden Baker, Silveus, sophomore Austin Kizer, sophomore Kameron Kopetski, sophomore Savannah Paxton, freshmen Brooklyn Brennan, freshmen Celia Richeson, senior Julia Hughes, senior Maddi Joseph, sophomore Dakota Linback, Laucis, senior Gavin Dalton, sophomore Nick Anders. The Hughes ensemble included Hughes, Laucis, and Joseph. Puglisi ensemble included sophomore Ryan Puglisi, Anders, Kopetski, sophomore Warren Sullivan, Dalton, Baker, senior Cameron Clarkson, and Linback. The Kizer madrigal included Kizer, Hughes, Joseph, Senior Katie Buckland, Paxton, Baker, and Dalton.

Richeson, upon getting the news she was headed to State. said “I think I cried. A lot.”

Puglisi said, “I was very excited and was proud that hard work paid off.”

To qualify for ISSMA State, students had to perform a group one song, equivalent to a college level and had to receive a gold. The Choir director Mr. Ryan VanAntwerp and accompanist Mrs. Amee Girtin helped students prepare for ISSMA state.

Silvius said “I enjoy being with our choir group and stretching my choir abilities.”

Results:

Baker, Silveus, Kizer, and Dalton all earned gold with distinction which means the judge gave them one of the highest number scores for gold.

Sophomore Kameron Kopetski: Gold

Sophomore Savanna Paxton: Gold

Freshmen Brooklyn Brennan: Silver

Freshmen Celia Richeson: Gold

Sophomore Nick Anders: Gold

Senior Julia Hughes: Gold

Senior Maddi Joseph: Gold

Sophomore Dakota Linback: Gold

Senior Nikki Laucis: Gold

Hughes ensemble(Hughes, Laucis, and Joseph): Silver

Puglisi ensemble(Puglisi, Anders, Kopetski, sophomore Warren Sullivan, Dalton, Baker, senior Cameron Clarkson, Linback): Gold

Kizer madrigal(Hughes, Joseph, senior Katie Buckland, Paxton, Baker, Dalton): Silver

Winter Guard

Logan Faulstich

As winter finally seems to roll into Plymouth, the band department is starting to ready up for winter winds. This year, their show will be about artificial intelligence.

William Kingston, a member in Winter Winds, said, “We have a lot of electronic sound effects in the background as we play versions of Gavorkna Fanfare and Machine.”

Compared to Marching Band, Winter Winds is performed differently.

“In Marching Band, you have a set of specific coordinates you are supposed to be at at all points of the show (most of the time over 60 different coordinates),” Jeffery Chamberlin, a senior member of Winter Winds, said. “The show is essentially written [like] a theater production, with certain people acting in character roles while other people are up on a stage. Winds is also much more physically, musically, and mentally challenging than Marching Band.”

Along with the music department, the guard members have also been working hard for Winter Guard, which is separate from Winter Winds. This is where the guard get to show off their talent in their own performance.

Makayla Wilson, a member in the Winter guard, said “Our show goes along with the song ‘Something in the Water’ by Carrie Underwood. Each person has their own personal connection to the song and goes along with what the song means to them.”

Both groups will be working hard to achieve their goals. They each want to be to the best of the best and we wish them each the best of luck.

Lent

Lauren Schumacher

Although not a popularized religious holiday like Christmas or Easter, Lent is still widely recognized amongst many Christian denominations. Taking place in the forty days between March 6, known as Ash Wednesday, and April 18, the time represents Jesus’ wandering in the wilderness and resisting temptations from Satan.

In modern times, Christians use Lent to focus on their spiritual relationships, often choosing to give up something for the 40-day period. According to LifeWay Research, a Christian institution, nearly 24% of Americans recognize and observe Lent in some way.

Right here at PHS, many students are getting ready for this Easter preparation season. Sophomore Jonathan Hernandez has given up drinking pop in the past, and plans to continue that this year. Meanwhile, junior Kelsey Kruyer shared one of her earlier Lent memories of giving up meat while still in elementary school. Senior Kaiyan Naylor plans to stop using the online dating app Tinder for the duration of Lent.