Feature photo taken by Debra Johnson Photography.
What’s recently happened?
Homecoming festivities at Griffith High School concluded during the month of October with seniors Chris Olsen and Katlyn Arya crowned homecoming king and queen. The homecoming dance was held on Saturday, October 2 at 7 p.m. Hundreds of high school students dressed up in formal clothes and dresses to enter the outer space-themed field house for a night full of dancing and laughter.
Every year, the homecoming dance is planned and set up by the student council, which is sponsored by social studies teacher Jenna Berzy. They originally planned to have the dance in the newly opened courtyard, but issues with the weather forced them to decorate the field house with items that fit the theme of outer space instead, such as aliens and UFOs.
During the homecoming game on Friday, October 1, the Griffith Panthers played against the Boone Grove Wolves. The game kicked off at 7 p.m., and the student section was filled with students who wore black, gold, and white to show off their school spirit. Griffith scored a total of five touchdowns for the duration of the game with three of them scored by starting quarterback and senior, Kyle Atkinson. These touchdowns secured the win for Griffith, which resulted in a final score of 45-7.
What’s coming up?
During the weekend of November 12-14, the Griffith Theatre Company will perform its fall production of Agatha Christie’s, “The Mousetrap." Taking place in a guest house called Monkswell Manor in the 1950s, this production follows Mollie and Giles Ralston as they and their guests are being questioned for a London murder that has happened nearby. As the guests arrive, everyone fits the murderer’s description and has a secret to tell.
Starring seniors Abby Morrison, Connor Crafton, Daniel Sheffield, Isabella Aranda, Aseret Baez, juniors Carter Pala and Ashley Taylor, and sophomore Braden Certa, this show is a murder mystery designed to leave audience members in suspense while questioning who the real culprit is until the very end.
On Friday, November 12 and Saturday, November 13, the show starts at 7 p.m. General admission is $9 per ticket and $8 per ticket for kids and senior citizens. The matinee will take place on Sunday, November 14 at 3 p.m.
Staff spotlight
Supportive, caring, and wise are just three words to describe Griffith’s Guidance Department Head, Michelle Udchitz.
Udchitz previously worked for the guidance department for nine years before leaving in 2018 to work with the Career and Technical Education programs at the Hammond Area Career Center. This year, she decided to return to Griffith because she missed working with the students and staff members there.
“I love Griffith and Griffith High School, and I also love helping students find their future career paths. The students I helped before I left Griffith in 2018 are all graduated now, and I think what I missed the most was not being able to help the senior classes prepare for their futures,” said Udchitz.
The most important goal for Udchitz this school year is to form connections and have good relationships with all of her students. Informing students on ways they can be successful or doing well on the SAT and applying for scholarships are just some of the opportunities that she wants to give her students this school year.
“The most rewarding aspect of being a guidance counselor is when I’m out in public and I see a former student. They always come up to me and tell me about their lives, what they’re doing now, and the fact that I helped them get to where they are. I love seeing my former students who have become successful, because I was a part of their success,” said Udchitz.
Udchitz wouldn’t trade helping her eighth through 12th graders for the world. She loves counseling students on how to deal with their real-life crises and is excited to help them have a jumpstart on their futures.
Student spotlight
Senior, actor, and lifelong Griffith resident Connor Crafton has been heavily devoted to the Griffith Theatre Company since he starred in Griffith’s first ever Middle School Drama Night during his seventh-grade year. Ever since then, he has acted in several high school shows over the years, such as “Honk!” and “I Remember Mam." This fall, Crafton is starring as the lead role of Giles Ralston for the Griffith Theatre Company’s production of “The Mousetrap."
Crafton attended Eldon Ready Elementary School and Griffith Middle School before transitioning to Griffith High School his freshman year. During his junior year, Crafton decided to take a break from acting in order to secure a spot on the Griffith Lights and Sound Crew. By joining the lights and sound crew, Crafton wasn’t limited to just acting. He was able to develop a greater understanding of the technical side of things in order to become a well-rounded member of the Griffith Theatre Company.
Crafton successfully did sound for the Griffith Theatre Company’s productions of “High School Drama Night” and “Radium Girls”.
“I enjoy being able to have opportunities to work both on and off stage with my friends. We always have a great time acting and working on the various crews when trying to put a great show together,” said Crafton.
As a senior, this is Crafton’s first time having a lead role in any of Griffith’s productions. Auditioning for this year’s fall production after taking a break was a decision he made based on Giles Ralston’s character because Crafton felt as if the role suited his personality.
“I auditioned for the fall production because I had previously acted and decided to take a break. When reading the script for this year, I felt as if the role of Giles Ralston would be enjoyable to pursue. The play as a whole also seemed really exciting to be a part of,” said Crafton.
Besides being heavily invested in theatre, Crafton is also an avid member of student council, class council, and the boy's tennis team.