Student Spotlight: Jason Randolph
Jason Randolph is an intelligent, charming, and friendly senior at West Side. Most students that attend West Side only engage with sports. Then there are students like Randolph, who has been a part of the basketball team since his Freshmen year. Randolph is also a National Honor Society member, and is attending Indiana University Northwest for the Fall Semester of 2017 as Dual Credit student.
Randolph is one of West Side's best male athletes. He doesn't play every sport, but continues to gain awards and recognition for his talent. He has earned many academic and sports awards, including four varsity letters representing his four years of being on the varsity basketball team.
Outside of school, Randolph is a hard worker at Foot Locker. He also helps his teachers who do work on houses all over Northwest Indiana and in his spare time enjoys playing basketball and video games with his younger brothers and family members.
After high school, Randolph hopes to attend Ohio State on a basketball and/or academic scholarship. He plans to continue working for Foot Locker because he enjoys the work and the benefits they provide.
"I don’t look forward to leaving my family and friends in Gary, Indiana, but I must go be great and make my city proud," said Randolph.
Randolph added, “I’ve lived in Gary all 19 years of my life. It is a very small town and everyone knows everyone. Everyone at my school knows each other, all 700 plus of us. We all act as a family, helping each other with all situations. We all want to see each other be great in life. Once I graduate and go on with life I will always remember my school and my city. They taught me everything I know.”
Something New at WS
School started almost two months ago and the year is moving by fast. Westside had more than 700 students register this summer. With so many students, Westside is able to build more clubs and organizations. So far there have been football games, volleyball games, a homecoming game, a homecoming dance, spirit week, and the student council election. Starting soon there will also be a debate team.
At West Side, there is a computer system called SILS which allows students to search student names and leave comments regarding behavior. All teachers and administrators can log on SILS and see what other teachers have said regarding students in the school. Noticing that many of the reports focused around talking during class, the administrators decided to give the students a positive way to speak and created the debate team.
All around the school ballots are hung on the walls with information about when the team meetings will start and a space for students to add their information. They have not yet chosen who will lead the team or put out a calendar of schools to go against for debates, but are hopeful for a good turnout.
It's expected that many students will enjoy the club, as many are happy to see something new at WS outside of sports.
Recently a dance team and anime club have also been started.
What's coming up
The month of September brought a lot of fun to West Side with the Homecoming football game against Hammond High. The loss didn't stop the fun at the Homecoming dance, though, and students celebrated with a Candyland theme. Spirit week included Battle of the Walls during which all four grades decorated a certain hall and the administrators judged to determine a winner. Seniors were crowned the winner! The end of the month also brought Student Council elections.
The month of October will bring the football play-offs and volleyball tournaments.The school will also announce who has been voted into office for Student Council. The 10th graders will have to take their PSAT. The first parent-teacher meeting will take place mid month. Progress reports will be sent home. The girls and boys basketball teams will begin practicing every day for the upcoming season, which stars in November.
October is also breastcancer awareness month. At many sporting events, many of the players and coaches will be wearing pink in support of the cause.
After the fun of October, November will bring in basketball games, tournaments, snow, senior activities, and field trips.
Teacher Spotlight
Joseph Peterson is one of West Side's many influencial teachers. As a teacher for 3-D art and Yearbook, he spends his time mentoring and helping many students throughout the year.
His love for teaching and art reflects his methods of teaching. He constantly pushes students out of their comfort zones with building projects, drawings, and more. He also teaches students outside of school.
Mr.Peterson has a Builders Club at the school that does work throughout the building and grounds. He is also a landlord and contractor in addition to being an Art Teacher.
Peterson is a hands on teacher who would rather show students a method than lecture. He does not give homework, but instead gives a larger project or assignment and a due date. This method prepares students for life after high school, life less structured, where the responsibility falls to them.
Peterson is always encouraging his students to become more worldly and experience other cultures. He often tells stories of his travels across the US and provides a wonderful example for his students.
When asked if he would ever consider not teaching art classes in order to put his full attention into his houses and making more money he said that money isn’t the main goal and teaching is what he loves best.
Though many may not experience having Mr. Peterson as a teacher, he is a wonderful part of West Side and someone who has inspired many to go beyond the standard curriculum.