#1StudentNWI: Slicers Celebrate the Arts, Athletics, and Student Organizations in October

#1StudentNWI: Slicers Celebrate the Arts, Athletics, and Student Organizations in October

What’s going on? Homecoming 2017

La Porte High School’s Homecoming took place on October 6th. Homecoming is a tradition in high schools across the country, with each of them being just a little different from the others. LPHS’s outshines the rest based purely on school spirit. Students who would not usually attend football games are motivated to cheer in the stands, and the football players are determined to keep their winning streak. It is a night that students talk about weeks before it happens, and this year was no different.

Spirit Week was in full-swing during the week of homecoming. Chosen by Student Council, all students had the opportunity to dress up in the style of five different themes: Magical Monday (Disney), Tie-Dye Tuesday, Woke Up Like This Wednesday, Dress for Success Thursday, and as always, Orange and Black Friday.

“Spirit Week is a really great way for the school to rally for the football team. Football is such a community event in our area that it’s important to make everyone feel involved in it, and Spirit Week does that,” Senior Keeley Higley said.

The homecoming candidates were trimmed to just ten female and male members, each in preparation to vote again for King and Queen. The final round of candidates were: Isaac Temores representing French Club, Jay Seaburg representing National Honor Society, Hunter Cedar and Emily Gesino representing Marching Band, Corbin Alexander and Izzy Applegarth representing FFA, Trevor Perry representing FCA, Jordan Forney representing Equestrian Club, Justin Hayden and Lyrical Wilson representing Drama Club, Jack Boardman and Shania Povlock representing Choir, Troy Walker representing Anime Club, Ciara Augusta representing DECA, Maureen Troy representing El Pe, Olivia Hubble representing German Club, Katerina Shuble representing Girl Reserves, Kaelyn Oman representing LGBT Club, and Jacqui Leal representing Spanish Club.

1Student-Laporte-October-2017-04The Homecoming Parade made its way down Lincolnway, showing off the 2017 theme: “There’s No Place Like Homecoming.” Ten of the homecoming candidates on the floats took the field at halftime, all excited to crown Homecoming King and Queen. That night, the crowns went to Jay Seaburg and Cierra Augusta.

“I think the parade is one of my favorite parts of homecoming. This was the first year for me on a float, so it was really exciting to build it,” Senior Taylor Pletcher said.

The football players played a tough game and took the victory against the Michigan City Wolves with a score of 58-56.

“I think that homecoming is so hype, because it brings the school together. Everyone is excited even weeks before it happens,” Senior Football Player Cesar Rosales said.

Homecoming remains one of the most hyped-up high school activities of the year and for good reason. Just like Rosales said, it brings the school together and makes high school just a little more fun, even if just for a week.

1Student-Laporte-October-2017-03What’s coming up? Fall Play

A hallmark event of the autumn season is LPHS’ annual Fall Play. This season, the students will be performing Cyrano: A Nose by Any Other Name.

The cast includes Brandon Gurrola as Cyrano, Anthony Garcia as Chris, Shania Povlock as Cori, and Emerson Easton as Roxanne.

Auditions were held earlier in the year and the cast is now three weeks into rehearsal. Director Lindsey Baugh is planning to reach out to students interested in stage crew. With this being her first year directing, she is determined to make this season’s play one of the best.

“When Ms. [April] Weisman announced that she was leaving, she spoke to me about my love of theatre and asked if I was interested in continuing what she started in the theatre department. I was absolutely interested, and after speaking to [Principal Ben] Tonagel about it, I decided that I was going to dive in with both feet and do my very best,” Baugh said. Baugh has both the experience and passion that one needs to put on a dazzling show.

“I started participating in school productions when I was just in kindergarten. It was in 7th grade that I really fell in love with being on stage. I participated in all of the theatre events that I could throughout my schooling, and I still act to this day. I am currently in my 8th show in a row at the La Porte Little Theatre Club, and I fully intend to continue this streak. On the directorial side of things, I coached 8th grade drama club at McCulloch Junior High School for one year, and I have coached the LPHS drama club for the past 2 years,” Baugh said.

Not only does Baugh plan to teach the cast as much as she can, but she also wants other introverted actors to explore theatre. She welcomes them all with open arms.

“I hope that, by coming to the shows, students will develop an interest in getting more involved with theatre in years and productions to come. We may have some very talented students who are too shy to try out at this point, and I hope that they see something that encourages them to try,” Baugh said.

The play will be performed on Thursday, November 9 through Sunday, November 12, with it starting at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday through Saturday and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Student Spotlight: Alyssa Foster

1Student-Laporte-October-2017-02Open-mindedness is an impressive quality. Not only is this quality admirable, but it is also rare. Junior Alyssa Foster embodies the importance of being open to others and encourages others to do the same.

Foster has been a part of many school functions since starting high school in 2015. Bowling is one of her favorite past times, as she has been in the club for five years. She has also placed top five at several tournaments and won the 2016 Rising Star Award. Last year, Foster made it all the way to semi-state, which would be a huge feat for anyone.

Additional extracurriculars that Foster is involved in include Spell Bowl, German Club, and LPHS’s newspaper: Hi-Times. She has been a part of Spell Bowl for a total of seven years but has only been a part of the high school team for two. Although this is her first year of being in the newspaper class, she will be Editor-In-Chief for the 2018-2019 school year. Foster has also been involved in German Club for all three years of high school and plans to continue with it.

“I am also in German Club, which I enjoy not only for the language of the class, but because of the environment of the club,” Foster said.

All of the hard work that she puts into schooling and after school activities has paid off so far. She owes a great deal of her success to a piece of advice she was once given.

“The best advice I have ever been given is that every person is given an equal 24 hours each day. What you use those hours for is up to you. Nobody can make you do anything, but if you want something bad enough, you will work for it. When I first heard this, it took me a moment to understand it. When I understood what it meant, though, I realized how true it is,” Foster said.

Foster’s past has been successful, but she plans to make her future even brighter. Although she is unsure about what she wants to study in college, Foster is leaning towards journalism and education. Despite uncertainty, there is one thing she knows for sure.

“In 10 years I hope to be happy. No matter what brings that happiness, whether it be a great job, a family, or anything, I just hope to be happy,” Foster said.

Foster is undeniably an open book. She is always positive, loud, and willing to cheer up the people around her. There is no doubt that she has a bright future ahead of her.

Teacher Spotlight: Jennifer Scanlin

Every teacher, regardless of what grade or subject they teach, has something special about the way they handle themselves, and it definitely shows in their classroom. English Teacher Jennifer Scanlin’s way of teaching is based largely on sarcasm and support.

Scanlin’s initial motivation to teach seems funny to her now, but she wanted to teach just so she could coach swimming, which she has yet to do in her 15 years as an English teacher. Starting at Kesling Middle School and finally moving onto LPHS, her journey as a teacher would not be complete without teaching swimming at least once.

“Before I earned my teaching degree, I spent several years teaching swim lessons to both children and adults,” Scanlin said.

As an educator, she has taken on many different styles of teaching. She always wants to make the class as exciting as possible, even with so much material to cover.

“My biggest challenge so far in terms of teaching is trying to find engaging ways to keep students interested and shift the focus of test prep so that it isn’t the most important component of my class,” Scanlin said.

Scanlin has a very specific classroom environment that she has developed throughout her career. She has an idea of what she wants her room to be like and does everything she can to make it happen.

“I try very hard to make my classroom inviting but also a place where students feel like they get something from coming to my class. I try to differentiate as much as possible, solo and group projects, offering choices to demonstrate knowledge, incorporating technology, and one-on-one meetings,” Scanlin said.

The stories Scanlin tells play a large role in her classroom, and they significantly influence her teaching style. Her favorite involves her infamous “Book Talk” project, where students are required to read a book and sit down to discuss it with her.

“One time a kid admitted to me he never read an entire book. I made it my mission to find him the right book, and, weeks later after he finished it, we talked about the book together. The bulletin board over my desk has several notes from various students over the years. Each reminds me that I have in some way impacted a student, and that makes me proud,” Scanlin said.

Although she had uncertainty in the past as to what her career would be, she definitely has an idea of where she wants to be in the future. It could not have been said any better than, of course, by Scanlin herself.

“‘In a van down by the river.’ Where else? Just kidding. It’s a favorite quote of mine from the late Chris Farley, who attended La Lumiere. In ten years, I will still be teaching in some capacity (probably basket weaving) and loving it,” Scanlin said.

There is no doubt that Scanlin has inspired many of her previous students. Sometime in the future, those students will do great things and cite her as the reason it all happened. Scanlin’s sarcasm speaks volumes to high school students, and that is something not many can argue.