GreatNews.Life Student Voices: Munster High School expands its knowledge

What’s recently happened?

On November 6, Munster High School (MHS) French, Spanish and Italian Culture Club combined to put on a soccer match. The Italian and French Club combined as one due to a limited number of students, and the Spanish Club played against the two teams. 

Despite the combined forces, the Spanish Club still prevailed, winning 4-1. Afterwards, each of the clubs shared candy from the cultures they were representing. This is the first year that the Italian Culture Club participated in the annual soccer match.

To show off their support for their team, all of the club members wore colors from the country’s flag. The French Club wore blue, the Italian Culture Club wore green, and the Spanish Club wore black to represent the many different Spanish countries. 

Students who did not wish to play were given signs and a flag and encouraged to cheer on their team. The French Club supporters would yell “Allez les bleu” on the sidelines, which translates to “lets go blue” and is used to support France’s soccer team. The phrase is often referred to as the blues. 

Combining clubs allows for students to learn about other cultures and meet new people.

What’s coming up?

As the second semester comes along, Munster High School (MHS) students can look forward to many upcoming breaks and the end of the second quarter. 

There is a half day on Thursday, November 13. Students will go to school in the morning and leave in the middle of the day. There will still be a block schedule for this week, but there will be shortened classes for B block. This includes the second, fourth, and sixth period. Additionally, there will be no tutorial time.

MHS students will have Wednesday, Thursday and Friday off for Thanksgiving break during the last week of November.

In December, students can expect dead days, or days with no new content in their classes on the Monday and Tuesday of finals week. On Wednesday, students will have final exams in class periods one, four, and seven. To finish off the second semester, Thursday and Friday students will have half days for their finals. On Thursday they will have finals in the second and sixth period. On Friday of finals week, the students will have exams for third and fifth period. 

Once finals are over, students will have winter break from December 20 until January 5, and the next grading period will begin. 

Staff spotlight:

A typical hearing classroom consists of rows of students in individual desks. All of the students look towards the teacher and each desk is very independent.

A deaf classroom is very different. The desks are typically set up in a semicircle so everyone can see each other.

This is just one example of the differences between hearing and Deaf culture. When students walk into their American Sign Language (ASL) class, they are absorbed into all aspects of Deaf culture that they may not expect in order to educate them on more than just sign language.

ASL teacher Hannah Fus has set up her room to mimic a typical deaf classroom. Everyone is able to see each other’s signs and facial expressions. The seats are set up in a semicircle so people’s attention can still be towards the front of the classroom where Fus stands. 

“If I had to describe my setup in a few words, it would be visually friendly,” Fus said. “The whole idea is anytime you go to a deaf class or an ASL class in college, especially when your voice is off, everyone has to see each other.”

Along with the different setup, Fus does other things to show the difference between Deaf and hearing culture. For example, to get her students’ attention, Fus will do the sign for deer. When students see her, they do the same to signal that they are paying attention. Fus does this because it is a visual signal rather than a hearing one so it is accessible to the deaf and hearing. 

“Sometimes when I’m trying to get everyone’s attention, I will tap on a desk because you feel that vibration,” Fus said.

From classroom setup to attention signals, Fus tries to incorporate Deaf culture into ASL class every way she can. Through doing this, students have a deeper understanding on what it is like to be deaf.

Student spotlight:

Munster High School (MHS) offers a variety of clubs and activities that provide opportunities for students to find their interests. Junior Marion Ivy is in seven of these clubs, and uses her experience to meet new people and explore her interests.

“I decided to join these clubs because I love getting involved in the school community and meeting new people,” Ivy said.

Ivy is in SONG, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Christian Culture Club, Mustang Volunteer Project, Link Crew, Book club and Unified Track.

“This year, I’ve joined the Book Club leadership and I’ve been made the secretary of Christian Culture Club,” Ivy said.

Through these clubs, Ivy gets to experience a variety of new experiences and can look forward to the future meeting and practices.

“I look forward to the upcoming Unified Track season this school year,” Ivy said.