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The Owl

Kayla Moriarty

Kayla Moriarty, Staff Writer

I’m Kayla, I’m a senior, and this is my third year writing for the newspaper. I enjoy writing articles about the paranormal, but this year I plan to broaden my horizons and include  conspiracy theories, urban legends, reviewing and visiting allegedly haunted places, and reviewing mystery and thriller novels. I am beyond excited to write for The Owl this year and I look forward to writing with more variety.

All content by Kayla Moriarty
Photo taken from The Indy Star

The most haunted house in Indiana

Kayla Moriarty, Staff Writer
May 15, 2023

The city of Gary, Indiana is notorious for its crime-ridden reputation, proximity to Chicago, and oddly, its paranormal activity. Many speculate that an abundance of violent crimes in Gary accounts for...

Photo not taken by me, taken from Wikipedia

The beach with ghostly sailboats

Kayla Moriarty, Staff Writer
May 11, 2023

Whihala Beach, located in one of the most Northwestern points in Indiana, Whiting, overlooking Lake Michigan and even featuring some glimpses of Chicago. Despite seeming like the average laketown, Whiting...

This photo was taken from The Billie Creek Village's official website.

Billie Creek Village: history & hauntings

Kayla Moriarty, Staff Writer
May 3, 2023

Rockville, Indiana is well known for being home to the haunted Indiana State Sanitorium, but it also has some other local haunts that are just as hair-raising. Including over 30 historical sights and attractions,...

The most strangely captivating festival in Indianapolis

The most strangely captivating festival in Indianapolis

Kayla Moriarty, Staff Writer
May 1, 2023

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to attend the whimsically peculiar Oddities and Curiosities Expo in Indianapolis. The festival featured a variety of eye-catching handmade art, taxidermy, and other...

The small town of Atlanta, Indiana is a paranormal hotspot

The small town of Atlanta, Indiana is a paranormal hotspot

Kayla Moriarty, Staff Writer
April 11, 2023

Nearly 50 miles north of Indianapolis, the small town of Atlanta is teeming with paranormal activity, but why? It seems unusual that such a close-knit community has hundreds of stories about local haunts...

Scottsburg: One of the most haunted small towns in Indiana

Scottsburg: One of the most haunted small towns in Indiana

Kayla Moriarty, Staff Writer
March 27, 2023

When stumbling upon some recent articles relating to local hauntings in Indiana, a particular headline stood out vibrantly. According to Only In Your State, Scottsburg has been named as one of the most...

Album Review: The Car

Album Review: The Car

Kayla Moriarty, Staff Writer
March 6, 2023

Arctic Monkeys is a British-based indie rock band that’s popularity has spread to millions across North America.  They recently released an album in October titled The Car, and feedback from fans has...

The Backroads Spring Fling Market: Interviewing a Vendor

The Backroads Spring Fling Market: Interviewing a Vendor

Kayla Moriarty, Staff Writer
March 3, 2023

Spring may bring daffodils, storms, and pleasant weather for some, but it also brings opportunities for small businesses to flourish. The season brings an abundance of craft shows, art shows, and festivals...

Historic Indiana Photo Series: Avoca

Historic Indiana Photo Series: Avoca

Kayla Moriarty, Staff Writer
March 2, 2023

Avoca park was once a fish hatchery, and there is a cemetery on the grounds that dates back to the early 1800s.

3rd Nine Weeks: A Reflection

3rd Nine Weeks: A Reflection

Kayla Moriarty, Staff Writer
February 27, 2023

Going into this year, I wanted to bring more variety into my writing and delve into other topics that interested me. This is my third and final year writing for The Owl, as I am a senior, and having an...

An Early Spring: Are We Really Flourishing?

An Early Spring: Are We Really Flourishing?

Kayla Moriarty, Staff Writer
February 24, 2023

It’s no secret that this winter has been significantly warmer than those of the past. The grass is truly greener on every side, as most parts of the United States have reported record-breaking temperatures...

The Contemporary Arts

The Contemporary Arts

Kayla Moriarty, Staff Writer
February 24, 2023

          Is art truly dying? Modernist approaches to the arts have received both positive and negative feedback from the general public. Whether it be the broad distinction between art exhibits...

Madison's Bone-chilling Broadway Hotel & Tavern

Madison’s Bone-chilling Broadway Hotel & Tavern

Kayla Moriarty, Staff Writer
February 20, 2023

Madison, Indiana is home to an abundance of historical landmarks, some of which are still open and in use to the public today. The Broadway Hotel and Tavern have been up and running since 1834, and the...

Shelbyville, Indiana: an Alleged Paranormal Hotspot

Shelbyville, Indiana: an Alleged Paranormal Hotspot

Kayla Moriarty, Staff Writer
February 2, 2023

“It is twilight zone worthy!” commenter Mike Daffron remarked about his trip to the electric bridge in Shelbyville, Indiana. Built in 1974, the bridge lies several miles outside of Shelbyville, bringing...

The Mysteries of the Matthew's Mansion

The Mysteries of the Matthew’s Mansion

Kayla Moriarty, Staff Writer
January 23, 2023

John Matthews, nicknamed father of the limestone industry, struck “gold” when he discovered the mineral-rich area of southern Indiana. Initially from the United Kingdom, Matthews found his hidden talent...

The Sinister Secrets of Indiana State Sanatorium

The Sinister Secrets of Indiana State Sanatorium

Kayla Moriarty, Staff Writer
January 10, 2023

History: Located in Parke County, the Indiana State Sanatorium has attracted the attention of tourists with its ghostly atmosphere and eerie backstory. The sanatorium was initially built in 1907 to...

Reflection: 2022 Semester

Reflection: 2022 Semester

Kayla Moriarty, Staff Writer
December 14, 2022

When I started senior year, I knew that I wanted to broaden my horizons when it came to my writing for The Owl. Typically, I write about haunted places in Indiana or the United States, but I decided that...

"And Then There Were None" by Agatha Christie: Review  (Spoilers)

“And Then There Were None” by Agatha Christie: Review (Spoilers)

Kayla Moriarty, Staff Writer
December 2, 2022

Agatha Christie is ubiquitously known for her “whodunit” bestselling mystery novels that often leave readers stumped in the end. “And Then There Were None” begins with ten people mysteriously receiving...

Investigating Waverly Hills Sanatorium: Is it Haunted?

Investigating Waverly Hills Sanatorium: Is it Haunted?

Kayla Moriarty, Staff Writer
November 11, 2022

I have been interested in the world of the paranormal for years now, and Waverly Hills Sanatorium has always been at the top of my list. Last weekend, I had the opportunity to visit the sanatorium for...

Interviewing Small Businesses at Horror Palooza Weekend

Interviewing Small Businesses at Horror Palooza Weekend

Kayla Moriarty, Staff Writer
November 7, 2022

This past weekend, Horror Palooza Weekend commenced at Waverly Hills Sanatorium, and I had the opportunity to speak with small business owners from near and far. Horror Palooza is an event designed to...

The Mandela Effect: What do you Remember?

The Mandela Effect: What do you Remember?

Kayla Moriarty, Staff Writer
October 20, 2022

  Have you ever had the peculiar feeling that you remember something being different from it is? This false memory phenomenon is widespread and has been named the “Mandela Effect” by conspiracy...

Investigating the Historic Bronnenberg Home: Is it Haunted?

Investigating the Historic Bronnenberg Home: Is it Haunted?

Kayla Moriarty, Staff Writer
September 19, 2022

A few weeks ago, I traveled to Mounds State Park for a family reunion, but I inevitably took a paranormal detour when I came across the Bronnenberg Home. The home’s vintage structure and antique features...

3 of the Most Mind-Boggling Conspiracy Theories about Your Favorite Childhood Cartoons

3 of the Most Mind-Boggling Conspiracy Theories about Your Favorite Childhood Cartoons

Kayla Moriarty, Staff Writer
September 2, 2022

   Did you know the classic animated cartoons you grew up watching might have a darker backstory than you initially thought? Accompanying cartoons are a plethora of fan-made theories that dive deep into...

Investigating the Haunted Hannah House

Investigating the Haunted Hannah House

Kayla Moriarty, Staff Writer
August 29, 2022

      Indianapolis is well known for the Indy 500, its multitude of museums, historical landmarks, and bustling city life. However, a select few flock to Indy for something peculiar;...

Photo taken by Dr. Blair (found by https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ajp.2014.14060747)

The Terrifying Treatment at Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum

Kayla Moriarty, Feature Editor
May 6, 2022

Seeing the word ¨lunatic¨ being used to describe people who struggle with mental illnesses is unusual, but years ago this was standard treatment of the mentally ill. Most mental asylums started in the...

The Culbertson mansion's dark history

The Culbertson mansion’s dark history

Kayla Moriarty, Feature Editor
May 6, 2022

New Albany, Indiana is a pleasant town that attracts tourists with its niche shops, location on the Ohio River, and for a very select few, the Culbertson Mansion. Although this mansion is breathtaking...

So Cold the River: an Indiana Inspired Thriller

So Cold the River: an Indiana Inspired Thriller

Kayla Moriarty, Feature Editor
May 2, 2022

Michael Koryta’s So Cold The River is a fictional story rooted in Indiana legends and history. Eric, the main protagonist, is a filmmaker looking for new job opportunities. Alyssa Bradford, his client,...

3 of the Most Spine-Chilling Legends in Indiana

3 of the Most Spine-Chilling Legends in Indiana

Kayla Moriarty, Feature Editor
February 22, 2022

Perhaps you’ve heard them; the outlandish tales passed down from generation to generation. Tales of fairies in the forest, monsters in the woods, and ghosts in old houses. Indiana is surprisingly an...

The Ghastly Passengers of The Queen Mary

The Ghastly Passengers of The Queen Mary

Kayla Moriarty, Feature Editor
January 31, 2022

Long Beach, California is home to a famous ship that brings about hundreds of thousands of tourists annually. Although it holds a riveting history, another aspect lures some guests in; the paranormal.  History: Queen...

The Odd Winchester House

The Odd Winchester House

Kayla Moriarty, Feature Editor
January 19, 2022

The Winchester House in California grabs the interest of paranormal investigators all over the world. The house contains 160 rooms, doors to nowhere, windows to a fatal drop, and what is said to be spirits. Historical...

The Paranormal Exhibit at Speed Art Museum

The Paranormal Exhibit at Speed Art Museum

Kayla Moriarty, Feature Editor
January 14, 2022

Over winter break, I visited the Speed Art Museum in Louisville, Kentucky. The general exhibits were pieces from all cultures and periods, featuring artwork that dates back to the 1300's. We also purchased...

The Secrets of Lanier Mansion: An Interview with Staff

The Secrets of Lanier Mansion: An Interview with Staff

Kayla Moriarty, Feature Editor
December 16, 2021

  As mentioned in a previous article, the Lanier Mansion is a popular tourist attraction in the riverfront town of Madison. Many flock to the mansion for its historical appeal, but some come hoping...

The Haunting of Waverly Hills Sanatorium

The Haunting of Waverly Hills Sanatorium

Kayla Moriarty, Feature Editor
November 1, 2021

Named one of the haunted places in America, Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Louisville is home to terrifying paranormal experiences. Before it became a sanatorium, a man purchased the land to create Waverly...

photo taken by Lee Weaver

The Haunting of French Lick Springs Resort

Kayla Moriarty, Feature Editor
October 6, 2021

French Lick, Indiana is home to a beautifully captivating resort, attached to countless ghost sightings and stories from guests. The staff even recall disembodied voices, strange phone calls from unoccupied...

Haunted Hoosier Legends: The Lanier Mansion

Haunted Hoosier Legends: The Lanier Mansion

Kayla Moriarty, Feature Editor
September 20, 2021

In the quaint, riverside town of Madison, a mansion rests just a block away from most shops. However, this mansion has plenty of historical background, and possibly something paranormal as well.  ...

Haunted Hoosier Legends: The Whispers Estate

Haunted Hoosier Legends: The Whispers Estate

Kayla Moriarty, Feature Editor
September 1, 2021

Haunted Hoosier Legends : Whisper’s Estate  Many paranormal enthusiasts flock to the small town of Mitchell, Indiana to see the allegedly haunted Whisper’s Estate. The estate has been ranked as...

Bears, Oh My

Bears, Oh My

Kayla Moriarty, Feature Editor
August 20, 2021

The Department of Natural Resources recently happened upon a deceased black bear in northern Indiana. The bear was found on a toll road in Bristol Wednesday, and they are still looking into the cause...

Brood X's Contribution To the Environment

Brood X’s Contribution To the Environment

Kayla Moriarty, Staff Writer
April 22, 2021

You may have heard about them: the earsplitting creatures expected to emerge soon known as cicadas. They've been burrowed underground for seventeen years and are ready to see the surface. You may be wondering...

The Future of Festivities

The Future of Festivities

Kayla Moriarty, Staff Writer
March 17, 2021

With the ongoing spread of a global pandemic, essentially all fairs, festivals, and other social activities were cancelled last summer. However, summer of 2021 could potentially be different. As more and...

Haunted Hoosier Legends Part Five: The Blue Lady

Haunted Hoosier Legends Part Five: The Blue Lady

Kayla Moriarty, Staff Writer
February 8, 2021

About twenty minutes from the tourist town of Nashville, Indiana, is an inn with a history. Reports of a “blue lady” who roams the halls has been a popular sight among visitors.  Story, Indiana...

2020 from a Student's Perspective

2020 from a Student’s Perspective

Kayla Moriarty, Staff Writer
January 13, 2021

Anticipatingly huddled around the television waiting for the ball to drop, I never in a million years would’ve thought that this would collectively be the worst year of everyones’ lives. After Kobe...

An Interview with Greg Hager: The Director of Willard Library

An Interview with Greg Hager: The Director of Willard Library

Kayla Moriarty, Staff Writer
November 17, 2020

Built in 1877, the Willard Library in Evansville, Indiana still stands and functions the same it did a hundred years ago. However, this library is known for something other than just books: the paranormal....

Once In A Blue Moon

Once In A Blue Moon

Kayla Moriarty, Staff Writer
November 17, 2020

2020 is probably the worst year of everyone's lives: the Covid-19 pandemic spread, Oregon was on fire, and other dystopian events occurred. However, 2020 has had something unique that not a lot of other...

My Website

Kayla Moriarty, Staff Writer
October 5, 2020

I have recently made a website for my photography, it's a bit of a work in progress, but it's getting there. Feel free to take a look at my gallery, and contact me if you have any questions. https://pictures-that-speak.my-free.website/

Haunted Hoosier Legends Part Four

Haunted Hoosier Legends Part Four

Kayla Moriarty, Staff Writer
October 5, 2020

Have you ever been to Indiana University campus? If so, you may have encountered something strange without even noticing. The Indiana Memorial Union, IMU, lies on campus, and is still used by students...

Stage 5: What That Means for Indiana

Stage 5: What That Means for Indiana

Kayla Moriarty, Staff Writer
September 29, 2020

 Recently, Governor Holcomb announced that Indiana is in stage 5 of the back on track plan. The chart pictured shows how our cases per day have been decreasing since late August, hence the governor’s...

Haunted Hoosier Legends Part Three

Haunted Hoosier Legends Part Three

Kayla Moriarty, Staff Writer
September 21, 2020

In the small town of Tunnelton, with only a population of 125, there lies a tunnel surrounded with eerie tales. The tunnel was built for trains in the mid-1800s, and it has been rumored that paranormal...

Upcoming Events and Reminders

Upcoming Events and Reminders

Kayla Moriarty, Staff Writer
September 17, 2020

Here are the current and upcoming events at Seymour High School: "Best Buddies" club has been created at the school and is a club where buddy patterns are formed between someone with a disability...

Haunted Hoosier Legends: Part Two

Haunted Hoosier Legends: Part Two

Kayla Moriarty, Staff Writer
September 11, 2020

In Martinsville, Indiana, a legend lies restlessly behind the forest. As you walk up the wide, grassy path, a  feeling of utter peace fills you, with a tiny hint of fear as well. This weekend, I visited...

Mental Health vs. School

Mental Health vs. School

Kayla Moriarty, Contributor
September 8, 2020

School is extremely overwhelming for any student. You have to balance your social and academic life, and it sometimes feels like a huge tidal wave has trapped you. Although you cannot just fix everything...

Haunted Hoosier Legends: Part One

Haunted Hoosier Legends: Part One

Kayla Moriarty, Contributor
September 3, 2020

This week marked the very first week of September, which means that spooky season is right around the corner. Indiana has a haunted history with urban legends that have been told all throughout the state....

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