What’s recently happened?
From November 6-10, Lake Central High School (LC) journalism students attended the Journalism Education Association (JEA) conference located in Philadelphia to immerse themselves in the world of journalism.
Twenty students from yearbook, magazine, and broadcast classes as well as Advisers Kristina Collard and Carrie Wadycki-Cruz traveled to many tourist sites such as the Liberty Bell, Rocky Steps, and Independence Hall to start the trip. Students then attended sessions led by journalism advisers from all over the country and journalists currently working in the field.
These classes help further students' understanding in a variety of different types of journalism ranging from yearbook design to broadcast script writing. Carly Gelatka, senior social media editor for LC Television, attended the convention two years in a row continuing to grow as a journalist.
“I learned that it’s the journalists job to brand themselves and their work using emotional appeal,” Gelatka said.
This JEA convention is not only a great way to meet journalists from all over the country but also serves as an opportunity to compete nationally in a plethora of categories. Publication students Aaron Svetlin, Nolan Dyra, Jonathon Grigoriadis, Lily Collard, Madelynne Bush, Zainab Mohiuddin, and Samantha Conley all placed nationally in their respective categories.
LC Publications traveled back to the Region excited to get back into the classroom and put all the lessons learned to work. The team plans to attend the JEA convention in Nashville next fall.
What’s coming up?
The National Honors Society (NHS) is having its annual induction ceremony on November 21 in the auditorium. One of the largest clubs at LC, NHS is inducting around 163 new members in addition to the 145 currently in the club. In order to receive an application to become a member of this club, members must maintain a GPA of 3.33, complete 10 hours of community service, and fill out questions regarding their involvement within school and the external community.
Students Braiden Cooper, Anna Herr, Madi Bickell, and Troy Howell of the leadership committee within NHS, as well as Adviser Rhonda York, will be speaking at the induction. They are tasked with enforcing the core values of NHS: character, scholarship, leadership, and service.
Once inducted, new members will be asked to complete 20 hours of community service by the end of the year to maintain membership, while existing members will have to donate 40 hours of service to complete their time in NHS.
LC is excited to welcome the 2024-2025 chapter of NHS members and congratulated them on their academic achievements.
Staff spotlight:
Carrie Wadycki-Cruz has been teaching for 25 years. All 25 of those have been within the walls of LC. As one of two teachers in the journalism department, Wadycki-Cruz continues to fill her cup with teaching the future journalists of the world. Ranging from freshman heavy classes like digital photography and journalism writing to the upperclassman driven class Newsmagazine – also known as “Comet” – Wadycki-Cruz has a little bit of everything.
“I really enjoy having kids freshman year in the introduction classes and then watching them continue on and grow. Having them for four years and then watching them go off to college and do great things is awesome,” Wadycki-Cruz said.
Watching them go off to college is sad for many teachers, but Wadycki-Cruz is lucky enough to get to see many of her past students thrive in journalism careers.
“I love watching them grow and actually go into the field, even if they don’t go into the journalism field, to see how much our program has made an impact on them. It’s crazy how connected everyone is,” Wadycki-Cruz said.
Along with the recent trip to Philadelphia for the JEA convention, Wadycki-Cruz has attended many national conventions with LC Publications and named Orlando in 2015 as her favorite.
“It was so much fun. We still had to learn all of that good stuff and go to sessions but then we also built in days where we went to the Disney parks too,” Wadycki-Cruz said.
Twenty-five years has nothing on Wadycki-Cruz and her continuous passion to return to her classroom everyday is undeniable.
“People gripe about teaching in the outside world, but once I’m in my room and my door is closed and I’m doing my thing, I just have a blast. I just love it,” Wadycki-Cruz said.
Outside of the classroom, Wadycki-Cruz can be found trying new recipes out in the kitchen, building legos, or painting something, but most importantly rewatching “Outlander” or “Schitt’s Creek.”
Student spotlight:
It’s not every day that high school students are operating anything other than a car. For Lily Nelson, senior at LC, planes have become a new mode of transportation. Nelson is currently working towards her pilot’s license at Griffith Aviation but also a full time student.
For Nelson, flying wasn’t something she was always interested in but more a gift falling in her lap. In eighth grade she took a survey for a computer class that tells students their ideal job for their personality, and she got Air Traffic Control.
“I was joking asking my mom ‘Why can’t I fly the plane’ and she found a local airport and signed me up for an introductory flight. I’ve loved it ever since,” Nelson said.
Many don’t understand the long list of requirements in order to qualify for a pilot license. You have to be at least 17 years old, understand the English language, log a minimum of 40 hours of flight training time, pass a knowledge test, perform satisfactory on the Federal Aviation Administration practical test, and obtain at least a current third-class medical certificate.
The long list of specifications didn’t daunt Nelson, but invigorated her to take flying seriously.
“I like the challenges that come with flying. There’s always something to learn, You never quite know everything in the industry, there’s always more you can learn from everyone,” Nelson said.
November is notorious for daunting college applications. However, Nelson has other plans. Although aviation is a degree that can be pursued at a majority of universities, Nelson has decided that it just isn’t the route for her right now.
“You can go for a degree in aviation but a lot of airlines aren’t requiring it right now, so I’m most likely going to stick with doing it at the airport. Then I can always get my degree in-person or online if needed,” Nelson said.
Nelson reinforces the idea that the profession destined for someone will always make its way to them. It’s never too late to try something new, even if it seems impossible.
“I didn’t think this was something feasible for me to do. I used to look around at the planes in the airport and think ‘I can’t fly that,’ but truly anyone can do it as long as you have the determination and drive to try,” Nelson said.
Nelson is a testament to letting your dreams take flight and seeing where they land. For her that just happens to be at the airport.
