What’s recently happened?
Occurring on April 10, Lake Central High School (LCHS) recognized its honorable seniors at its annual Senior Honors Night banquet. The awards ceremony was held in the auditorium, beginning promptly at 6 p.m. The seats quickly filled with the 2024 soon-to-be graduates and their families, ready for the awards to be presented.
A total of 147 students were recognized for their honors and achievements throughout their past four years at LCHS. Some students even received multiple awards in different categories.
Senior Honors Night was a wonderful way to show appreciation to the seniors who have put forth extraordinary effort to their character and schoolwork, which is reflected in their GPA or other accomplishments.
There were awards handed out from each department including: Art, Business, Computer Science, Family and Consumer Science, Career and Technical Education, English, Math, Science, Social Studies and World Language.
Students were also able to receive awards in another category. The scholastic and achievements awards received by students included a long list, some being Best All-Around Senior and Academic Letterwinners.
The ceremony ended with the recognition of Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude and Summa Cum Laude, as well as the announcement of the 2024 graduation commencement speakers.
“I felt really nice to be honored for my accomplishments. It showed me that all I have worked for my last four years has finally paid off. My favorite part was seeing all of the kids getting all of their graduation gear," Magna Cum Laude Senior Tim Tkach said.
What’s coming up?
The Class of 2024 has exciting things in store these next two months as it prepares to graduate. Coming up on April 19, the seniors will be celebrating together at the 2024 Senior Banquet. This year’s theme is Time of our Lives.
Planned by the Senior Class Cabinet, the banquet will consist of several thrilling things for the seniors to experience. From a dinner buffet to class awards to ending the night with some dancing, this night is one of the last few parties for the Class of 2024 to share together.
It is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. at the Halls of St. George in Schererville.
In addition to the activities, the dress code is costumes. The halls will be filled with dynamic duos, trios and big group costumes that students have planned out. Senior Kailey Kosina is excited to show out in her outfit that she and her friends are wearing.
“I think dressing up in costume is really fun because it adds something to our normal events at school. It makes it unique and different for the seniors,” Kosina said.
Staff spotlight:
Walking through the halls of LCHS, there is a wide variety of subjects and electives being taught all day long. From Auto Shop, to Ceramics, to Spanish, there is truly something for everyone.
Spanish Teacher Tabitha Davis shares her passion for Spanish through her teaching every day.
After starting at LCHS in 2018, Davis has been teaching Spanish 1 and 2.
“In high school, I enjoyed my Spanish classes because they were very different from my other classes. They were interactive, full of culture and helped me understand English better too. I love to travel, and I found that after just a few semesters of Spanish, I was able to read and understand conversations, signs and music when I visited Spanish-speaking countries,” Davis said.
As a teacher with a student-centered teaching style, Davis strives to keep her students interactive and giving input during class. The ultimate goal she has is for her students to speak just as much as her in the classroom.
“Teaching Spanish 1 and 2 is enjoyable for me because we cover topics such as family, weather, shopping, eating and traveling. These topics allow for students to create projects, play games, present, and have conversations relevant to the real world,” Davis said.
Davis reminds her students daily that practice makes perfect, considering it can be very overwhelming to begin to learn and comprehend a new language. Her dedication, kindness and passion for teaching the language makes her classroom a wonderful environment to learn.
Outside of the busy school days, Davis supports her daughter at dance and her other activities.
“I also spend much of my free time teaching pilates at Sweat 219, traveling, shopping, eating and spending time with my friends and family,” Davis said.
At the end of the day, Davis is a shoe-loving teacher who loves to stay active and keep busy.
Her love for teaching also contributes to her character.
“Teaching keeps me busy, challenges me to be creative, and keeps me up-to-date on trends and the culture of the younger generation,” Davis said.
It is important to have teachers like Davis who inspire students to step out of their comfort zones. Her advice to students hesitant to take Spanish truly encompasses her passionate personality.
“Try it! Learning a language is so much more than working on grammar and memorization. Learning a new language can help you with other subjects in school, may advance you in your workplace, and gives you the opportunity to communicate with more people,” Davis said.
Student spotlight:
Students actively practicing leadership skills are crucial to society. The young generations are the future. There are impressive leaders ready to take on the world, and Senior Ashtyn Payne being one of them.
Payne is a motivated media student who is actively involved within LCHS. She is a part of the Senior Class Cabinet, Family Career and Community Leaders of America and Dollars for Scholars.
Payne was awarded Editor-In-Chief of Lake Central Television this year and has been thriving in the position all year, growing as a leader.
“I wanted to be able to help others while working their way up,” Payne said.
Payne believes that her position this year has affected her life in several ways.
“I’ve learned how to communicate with people and teach. I’ve also learned how to understand everyone as an individual person. A leader’s job is never done,” Payne said.
Growing up as a highly involved and busy person, Payne has grown to love her position as a leader. Payne enjoys being there as someone to fall back on for her broadcasting staff when things get difficult.
As well as excelling at school, Payne works at a cupcake shop and volunteers. She is also an avid reader, and strives to read at least five books a month.
“If I’m not at work or doing school work, I’m usually hanging out with friends,” Payne said.
As Payne prepares to graduate, she is creating her future goals and plans.
“I plan to attend Indiana University Bloomington in the fall, majoring in Film and Television and minoring in Hospitality,” Payne said.
She has big goals of becoming a producer for a news or television show, and plans to own her own restaurant.
“I want to be a producer because I like working behind the scenes and not being on camera. I enjoy editing and planning more,” Payne said.
Payne plans to make the most of her last summer before a new life, and leaves advice to underclassmen.
“Keep pushing. I’ve been struggling with senioritis, but help from teachers have kept me motivated to finish the year out on a good note,” Payne said.