#1StudentNWI: La Porte Brings Talent and Dedication Forward

#1StudentNWI: La Porte Brings Talent and Dedication Forward

Teacher Spotlight - Goers

Business and technology teacher Mr. Goers is hanging up his hat after 37 years of teaching.

Goers knew that education was his career choice all the way back from middle school.

“I was in the 7th grade when I was showing a classmate in P.E. how to do a difficult task and he was able to accomplish this task, like a light bulb came on. My aunt was also a teacher,” Goers said.

As he began to teach, it was apparent what made the job so special to him. Goers truly feels as if a school is the place he fits best in.

“Seeing it in my students when they 'got' it, when they finally understood a concept. Any time students come up to me or say to others, 'I remember doing this or learning that in your class' or 'how much of what I learned in class I remember or how much it has helped me in life,'" Goers said.

In the past 37 years, Goers has had the opportunity to teach at Hanover Central, South Central, and La Porte High School. He has specifically taught Accounting, Business Law & Ethics, Record Keeping, Introduction to Business, Business Math, Computer Applications, Keyboarding, Physical Education, and Driver’s Education.

Goers does not only pride himself in teaching; however, as he also does an abundance of coaching baseball and basketball also.

“There are many co-workers and former coaches who have had a great impact on my education and coaching career. My parents who supported me in whatever I did, my wife, and my two boys. They have made me a better teacher, coach, and person,” Goers said.

It will not be easy to say goodbye to such a dedicated and fun-loving teacher. With a heavy heart, Slicers wish him the best on his future endeavors.

Student Spotlight - Olivia Jobbe

1Student-LaPorte-May-2018-02One aspect of LPHS that is seemingly underlooked and now under construction is the Arts programs. Compared to other parts of the school, such as athletics and music, the arts is something that many do not engage in as frequently. Junior Olivia Jobbe plans to change that in the final two years of her high school career.

“I’m not really involved in many school activities. I’m on student council, but I would like to be involved in creating more opportunities for artistic kids at La Porte High School and in the community,” Jobbe said.

Outside of school; however, she has her hands full. She is a part of the Lubeznik Center for the Arts Council and Education Committee. Last summer, Jobbe was even able to shadow for photographer Francois Robert.

“The Teen Arts Council has provided me with the experiences of meeting professional artists like Lora Fosberg and Corey Hagelberg. I have been involved in their Young Artists Expo and the Lubeznik Art & Artisan Festival as well,” Jobbe said.

Jobbe’s love for art only physically bloomed last year, but so far has gotten her extremely far. She dedicates one of the main reasons for her passion to the city of Chicago, where she grew up. The city of Chicago is chock full of all sorts of murals and street art, something that sparked Jobbe’s artistic side.

“Constantly seeing art, even in unconventional locations, engrained a respect in me for all of the forms it takes. I don’t ever remember having a eureka moment that I wanted to be involved with art because it has just always been a part of me,” Jobbe said.

One of Jobbe’s more noticeable accomplishments is being hired to create the official poster for the Swale Music Festival in the Uptown Arts District of Michigan City. Her art can be found all over La Porte County as the days count down to the festival.

“The entire process was pretty casual when I was hired to create the poster. I like to go to this art cafe called Quality Beet in Michigan City pretty regularly so the owner, Tim Bauer, knows me and has featured my art in the shop before. One day he was telling me about this music festival that the Michigan City Mainstreet Association hired him to organize. I threw it out there that I was interested in doing a poster or merch and then a month or two later he asked me if I still wanted to do it,” Jobbe said.

Jobbe was given ten days to finish the poster. Although the deadline was stressful, Jobbe is more than excited to finally be working for something genuine, and hopes to continue to do so in the future.

As for the future, Jobbe is not exactly set on where she wants to end up. If anything, she wants to return to Chicago for college, and possibly end up working to create more posters and merchandise for local bands. With a work ethic and creative passion like hers, it is not crazy to imagine. The city of La Porte and beyond will definitely be seeing a lot more of Jobbe in the future.

1Student-LaPorte-May-2018-01What’s Going On - Spring Play

The LPHS Theater program debuted their spring play performance of “Just Another High School Play” in the Boston Middle School Auditorium on April 13-15.

The play is about a group of theater students who have to create their own makeshift play because their play director leaves due to them not attending their rehearsals.

“I am a big fan of comedy, and I enjoy parodies. This was the best of both of those worlds. Also, with the amount of back and forth that we had to do between Boston and LPHS, it was beneficial to us that this play did not have a set. We would have had to build a full set in two days had we done another show,” Miss Baugh, play director and English teacher, said.

Jennika Schoff played the Stage Manager and Cedric McCoy played the Assistant Director. Ian Murphy, Zach Eason, Emerson Easton, Alaura Shuble, Sarah Smith, Tori Satchwell, Stephanie Komasinski, Prestin Butcher, Kamui Mitchell, Kristen Luce, Kristen Cole, and Kristyn Principe played multiple parts in various scenes.

“The students did an amazing job, not only onstage but backstage as well. They really blended together well as a group and got very close with each other. They took those excellent relationships and allowed them to show onstage. They completely trusted one another to make every scene the best that it could be. The audience could definitely see that,” Baugh said.

Altogether, the students put on a jaw-dropping performance. Baugh would personally like to thank all of the English teachers who gave out extra credit for those who attended the play, since it brought a decent sized crowd each time.

What’s Coming Up - Class of 2018 Valedictorian

1Student-LaPorte-May-2018-04Kat Shuble was recently named Class of 2018’s Valedictorian, and it is no surprise after taking a peek at her schedule.

Shuble is more than qualified for the position, as she has taken rigorous courses such as AP World History, AP US History, AP Physics, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, AP Psychology, AP Government, AP English, and AP Calculus. She has advice for those who also want to achieve this level of academic success.

“I would tell them to make sure that they are having fun with what they are doing. It is great to be academically successful, but if you are too stressed about life then it ruins the moment,” Shuble said.

Throughout her four years at La Porte High School, Shuble has also participated in a wide range of extracurricular activities. She has been on the Principal’s Advisory Board for the past two years and has also been involved in Track, Cross Country, Cheerleading, Student Council, and Girl Reserves for her entire high school career, all while balancing her challenging academic schedule. Because of this intense hard work and dedication, Shuble was given scholarships for both academics and athletics when she attends Bowling Green State University in the fall.

As for being Valedictorian, she is not nervous to take the stage on June 3rd. All of her tremendous motivation has led her to this moment, and she cannot wait to finally watch it all pay off.

“I am surprisingly not nervous about the speech. This by no means says I will not mess up, but I am going to enjoy the moment,” Shuble said.

While she, along with all of the other seniors, prepare to say goodbye to high school once and for all, Shuble will cherish her final weeks with just as much determination as when she started.