Dedications and Olympiads
Last month, the whole community of Westville came together to make one special basketball game happen. This game was dedicated to Rhyann Sikora, a Blackhawk student who lost her life last summer in a car accident. Many students, adults, and community members of Westville put lots of hard work into making sure the event was perfect.
The students of Westville High School put their heart into this game. The Poms team performed a dance routine at half-time and DECA members hosted a bake sale. Many decorated the halls with pictures and memories of Sikora with her friends and family. As a further commemoration by her fellow Blackhawks, the Westville pep-block wore “Remembering Rhyann” t-shirts. All proceeds from the game were put towards a scholarship in Rhyann Sikora’s name. The “Remembering Rhyann” game was a wonderful dedication to the loved Blackhawk student.
Also recently, the Westville High School Science Olympiad team traveled to Purdue Northwest in Hammond for their Regional Competition. Out of 13 schools competing, almost every Westville student placed sixth or higher in their events, bringing home many medals. As a team, Westville earned fourth place, moving them on to the State Tournament!
What’s Coming Up?
On March 15 and 16, the Westville High School Science Olympiad team traveled to Bloomington, Indiana for their State Competition. Hosted at the Indiana University Campus, this competition ensured a good time for everyone involved. The students stayed the night on the campus itself and then competed in their events the next day for a chance to advance on to the International Competition.
On the athletics side this month, Westville High School will be hosting a Blackhawk Ballers 3 on 3 basketball tournament March 23. This month prizes Westville smarts and athletics, and also some theater! On March 22 and 23, the Westville High School Drama Club presents, “Seussical the Musical.” This month promises a lot of entertaining events for the community to attend and enjoy.
Teacher Spotlight
It can be challenging to be a teacher, even more so when starting out in the field for the first time. One teacher that mastered her first years of teaching is Mrs. Wagner.
Wagner has now been teaching for three years, all at Westville High School. She teaches a variety of classes, including English 9, Creative Writing, English Lab, and her personal favorite, Novels.
“I love to read, discuss the books with the students, and even get book suggestions from them in class,” Wagner said.
After school, you can most likely find Wagner with one of the various clubs she sponsors, including National Honor Society, Breakfast Club, Positive Optimistic Wonder Workers (POWW), and Movie Club. Before reaching her position at Westville, Wagner attended Manchester University for four years, earning a degree in English Education. She chose to become an English teacher because it was her favorite subject in school and because she wanted to be like one of her favorite teachers, who also taught English.
Wagner’s favorite part about teaching is seeing her students grow. “I enjoy watching the students graduate and then see where they choose to go to college,” she said.
Outside of school, Wagner enjoys reading and going to the movies. All-around, she is a phenomenal person and teacher. She is kind to everyone that she meets and is always willing to lend a helping hand. Westville High School is very lucky to have her as a teacher!
Student Spotlight
A truly outstanding student—one who demonstrates both superb academics and talented athletics—is not often easily found. At Westville High School, a student that fits this description is junior McKenna O’Hara.
O’Hara takes part in many extracurricular activities varying from clubs to sports. She is a part of Quiz Bowl, Science Olympiad, National Honor Society, and Leo Club. This is O’Hara’s twelfth year of softball, having played from kindergarten to her current season in eleventh grade! In addition to softball, O’Hara plans on also playing soccer her senior year.
Last school year, McKenna tied as one of the Top Scholars of her grade and made Principal’s Honor Roll. O’Hara wants to pursue a career in the STEM field and attend Purdue West Lafayette. Her favorite class is Dual-Credit Chemistry.
In her spare time and outside of clubs and sports, O’Hara enjoys skiing and travelling. She is an intelligent and proficient student compelled to do excellent things, whatever her future may hold.