What’s recently happened?
Hammond Academy of Science and Technology (HAST) has finally opened up its summer school applications. The application has been out since April 1 and will be open until May 24.
“I’m so glad HAST offers summer school. I think it’s essential for students like me who like to get ahead instead of waiting until the next school year. Why take classes during the school year that you could’ve gotten done in less than a month? I plan on taking advantage of this opportunity,” Emalie Patino, a junior at HAST, said.
The summer school application is filled with many opportunities to get classes done. The list consists of Physical Education, Health, Government/Economics, Spanish 3, Theatre Arts History, Personal Finance, and credit recovery. Summer school will run from Tuesday, May 28 to Wednesday, July 3.
What’s coming up?
Get ready for prom! The Class of 2024 will have its prom on Friday, April 26. The theme? Victorian Twilight.
“When I first heard the theme, my face dropped. I wasn’t sure what dress I would get to match it or if I would even be able to find one. Although I wasn’t very fond of it, I want to enjoy my senior prom, and I believe I’ll do just that. I know this theme won for a reason, and I'm excited to see how it turns out,” Valerie Guzman, a senior at HAST, said.
Prom for senior and junior HAST Hawks will begin at 6 p.m. and end at 10 p.m. Tickets are on sale for $80.
Staff spotlight:
Gloria Valdez has been a staff member at HAST for 13 years, but Valdez has been with HAST as a parent since it first opened.
“I was the president of the parent-teacher organization, and when my son came to do the eighth grade, I came to do the attendance for the whole school. After doing that, the administration moved me to secretary,” Valdez said.
As a secretary at HAST, Valdez describes her work as a support system to everyone, with duties supporting various roles throughout the school. This includes the principal, assistant principal, dean, business office, nurse, counselor, and students.
“They call me their first line of defense. When parents or students come in, I figure out their problem and get the correct staff member to help them,” she said.
Valdez recently won a pretty impressive award from the Indiana Association of School Principals: Secretary of the Year for Leadership in Indiana.
“I actually told someone that I wanted to win at the beginning of the school year. I would go to many conferences and see everybody winning, and I wanted to be a part of that as well. The office secretly nominated me, so when I went to the meeting and they were reading off the awards, I was shocked to hear my name,” said Valdez.
At first, Valdez didn't think she would win due to everyone else who was also nominated for the award.
“There are so many amazing secretaries, and they do a lot of amazing things. I really didn't think I was ever going to win. Plus, no one from Northwest Indiana had ever won before. In fact, my husband looked it up, and I think I may have been the first Hispanic winner as well,” said Valdez.
During her free time, Valdez likes to go out and about with her family. Her husband and two older sons love to try new foods.
“In my free time, I enjoy going out with my family. We like to try a lot of ethnic foods and different restaurants. We’ve had a bunch of everything. We even went on a pizza tour and tried all the different Chicago pizza. We just like to hang out and be together,” said Valdez.
Student spotlight:
Austin McKimmy, a junior at HAST, is a very busy student. His schedule is full of friends, sports, and school.
“I’ve been a student at HAST since sixth grade, so six years. Over the years, I met new people and have managed to keep the same friends for so long, so I’m glad I came to HAST,” said McKimmy.
In his free time, McKimmy enjoys doing various activities.
“I enjoy playing baseball, going out with my friends, and hanging out with my girlfriend. We all enjoy going out to eat or doing random things that come to mind like amusement parks,” he said.
McKimmy has been playing sports since he was in elementary school. It has ranged from soccer to football to basketball to baseball.
“I’ve been playing baseball since I was 3 years old. My dad is actually a coach. At first, I didn’t really enjoy playing baseball, which is crazy to me. I started enjoying it as an eighth grader, going into my freshman year. Other than that, I played basketball, football, and soccer during elementary and early middle school,” said McKimmy.
