#1StudentNWI: South Central Highlights Philanthropists and Fundraisers

#1StudentNWI: South Central Highlights Philanthropists and Fundraisers

What’s Coming Up?

South Central’s cheer teams are hosting a pancake breakfast fundraiser at the Applebee’s in Valparaiso.

The fundraiser will take place on November 18th from 8 to 10 a.m. Tickets can be purchased through the South Central Junior High and High School cheer teams for only $8.00.

Half of the proceeds from each ticket will go to benefit each of the cheer teams. The money raised will be used to continue to support the cheer teams throughout the rest of each of their seasons.

What's Happening?

1Student-SouthCentral-October-2017-04On Friday the 13th, South Central showed their support of cancer survivors during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. During the football game, the cheerleaders, fans and the rest of the crowd not only cheered on the football team, but also breast cancer survivors. The fans were also asked to wear a costume to show their Halloween spirit.

The National Breast Cancer Foundation was founded in 1991 by Janelle Hail, who is also a survivor herself. The goal of this foundation is to provide hope for breast cancer survivors and to offer free mammograms to women across the United States.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month began in 1985 and the pink ribbon has been their symbol since then. South Central is one out of many schools supporting this well-known and very important cause.

Student Spotlight: Katie Zabel

1Student-SouthCentral-October-2017-01South Central High School is filled with many fantastic students. One who surely stands out is Sophomore Katie Zabel.

When asked what her favorite part about South Central was, Zabel replied honestly with, “South Central is a small school, where everyone knows everybody. It’s like a giant family. We’re all here for eachother, it makes you feel safe and happy.”

Zabel especially loves English class, because writing has always been her forte.

“I love English class. I love writing and reading, and I always have. It’s a class where I get to express my creativity in writing, and our teacher, Mrs. Barnes is astounding at what she does,” Zabel said.

After being a part of Mrs. Barnes’ English class, Zabel deemed her her favorite teacher.

“Mrs. Barnes is such a genuine person, and, along with English lessons, she teaches us life lessons daily. Everything she says has a long-lasting impact on all of her students. She's one of the best teachers I've ever had and ever will have. She truly cares about her students and treats them all like family,” Zabel said.

Zabel is always setting goals for herself; her main goal, she says, is “to be a better me.”

“Every school year I like to learn from my mistakes, try new things, and get better and better every time,” Zabel said.

Her advice to students in the grades below her is to “study, try your hardest, and respect your teachers. Also, don't forget to have a life. Enjoy yourself when you get the chance, and don't let school take over every aspect of your life.”

In her free time, Zabel listens to a lot of music. Her favorite artists to listen to are Little Big Town and The Band Perry.

“Little Big Town and The Band Perry have had huge impacts on my life. They all started from the bottom and struggled to get where they are now. Their constant perseverance, and hard work inspires me to do my best daily. Carrie Underwood has also [inspired me]. Despite critics, she sings about her devotion to God and has constantly proved everybody wrong when they're down on her work. They've all taught me to be myself and to work hard,” Zabel said.

Zabel would not be as successful as she is today without taking some great advice from others. One of her favorite quotes is as follows: “You've gotten through every bad day you've had before, you can get through this one too. You're loved, and have a whole life before you. I promise.”

South Central High School would not be the same without Zabel’s willingness to help others and persevere, and both the students and staff are grateful for her tenacity.

Teacher Spotlight: Jill Stepanek

1Student-SouthCentral-October-2017-02Jill Stepanek is a science teacher at South Central High School. She teaches Earth Space Science, AP Chemistry, and Chemistry. She has been teaching for a total of 14 years.

Stepanek said, “I used to be a meteorologist, and one day I was working the radar and a school group came in. I just thought about how I would really enjoy teaching.”

When asked which of her classes she enjoys teaching the most, she said “I can’t really choose a favorite because I enjoy certain things about certain classes. In chemistry I enjoy making them less afraid of math, In AP Chemistry I really enjoy the labs, and I enjoy teaching Earth Space Science because I used to be a meteorologist.”

Stepanek loves the students at South Central because of their engaging personalities.

“I really enjoy the students here; they always find ways to make me laugh. Everyday something weird and random happens in each class; the students are really fun to be around,” Stepanek said.

Students who try their hardest and ask for help when it is needed are bound to succeed in Stepanek’s class, just as Stepanek succeeded in teaching students that science is a vital part of life.