#1StudentNWI: Andrean Idol, Academic Super Bowls and more at Andrean High School

Town Hall Meeting

President Harry Vande Velde, alongside fellow staff members and administrators, stood in front of the Andrean community, March 10, and announced future plans for the school as it heads into a new era.

Across the numerous topics addressed, the Principal Benjamin Potts made it clear that though educators are usually advised to conquer one task at a time, this administration plans to tackle a vast array of plans all at once so as to raise Andrean to its fullest potential as soon as possible.

A major movement was made by Vice Principal Rick Piwowarski for curricular reform. In addition to starting school earlier in August and elongating the school day, the administration hopes to uphold Andrean’s rigor as a college preparatory school by introducing a plus and minus to the grading scale that will affect GPA and rank. Additionally, over 30 new courses will be added, among them, some being new required core classes, in order to broaden the intellectual horizons of students.

In addition to academic expansions on campus, there are plans underway for a physical expansion. Early stages of planning have produced tentative blueprints depicting the relocation of sports fields, the introduction of new parking lots, and prospects of facilities like a much needed field house and a cabin in the woods for retreat purposes. In the current building, Vande Velde mentioned the possible introduction of school wide air conditioning after over 55 years.

Boys and Girls Indoor State

The track team headed down to Purdue University West Lafayette for indoor state after qualifying weeks earlier at meets held at Portage High School and Purdue.

Events that qualified for the indoor state competition for women include the 3200 meter relay, 800 meter relay, 1600 meter relay, and distance medley relay. Male event qualifications include the two mile, 3200 meter relay, 800 meter relay, 1600 meter relay, and distance medley relay.

Jessica Pruitt earned herself a place on the podium with an eighth place finish in shot put and a personal record to go along with it. The 800 meter men’s relay placed sixth and the 1600 meter men’s relay finished third.

Though the hardware seemed to run scarce on the Andrean team, even greater things are happening behind the leaderboards. Still early in the track season, Andrean has a team that is headed toward outdoor season with a strong dynamic and a litany of recent personal records already behind them.

Andrean Idol

Tyree Austin won the sixth annual Andrean Idol competition, March 20, performing “Ordinary People” by John Legend and “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran.

The only duet of the competition, comprised of Madison Severance and Ogunde Snelling, placed second, singing “Lucky” by Jason Mraz and Colbie Collait; and “Barton Hollows” by the Civil Wars. Daniel Villalpando finished third with “Your Grace is Enough” by Chris Tomlin and “Strong Enough” by Matthew West.

Alongside the high school competition was a grade school division composed of students from across northwest Indiana. Grade school participants included Kelechi Echeunmuna who won fourth place, Lilly Lamberg the third place winner, Miranda Munoz the runner up, and Isabella Jardenil who won first place.

The preservation of this event is owed greatly to the active part that has been taken, over the years, by Dean of Students Rick Torres.

“This competition brings different students together, be it athletes, academic students, or those not involved at all, and offers a great way for them to engage with people outside of their usual friend groups,” said Torres.

Valparaiso Super Bowl Invitational

Academic Super Bowl finished fourth overall at the Valparaiso High School Invitational February 19.

The topic this year is “The Grandeur That Was Rome.” With a few seniors absent on the Kairos Retreat, the remaining Super Bowl members were asked to step to the plate. Many students such as Jake Brown, Danielle Collins, Kathryn Strimbu, and Katelyn Scheive are on numerous of the Academic Super Bowl teams including Science, Social Studies, English, and Fine Arts; and were additionally called upon to help bring the Interdisciplinary team to a fifth place finish.

With seniors Liz Adams and Niuniu Zhang missing from the competition, the social studies team competed with three members and no subs. Though the team appeared disadvantage with the loss of upperclassmen members, they were still able to place fourth.

The Science team was the top scorer for Andrean with 19 points, though this only landed them a fourth place finish.

A top finish of second place was won out by the English team with 14 points, finishing behind Crown Point High School, who placed first overall at the meet.

The Academic Super Bowl teams are now preparing for the regional competition on April 21 at Merrillville High School.

Teacher Shout Out

After many years of experience as an English and Theology teacher here at Andrean, Ms. Stacia Bolakowski is amidst her first year outside of the classroom as an administrator and Andrean’s current campus minister.

Though previously very active in service around the school, the added time from the alleviation of classroom obligations has brought faith and service to new heights at Andrean High School. With the proliferation of service projects and drives organized by Bolakowski in conjunction with organizations like Catholic Charities and Sojourner Truth House, being an active member of the community at Andrean has never been easier.

Additionally, Bolakowski has continued to bring the Catholic faith to students in fresh and innovative ways that make students want to get involved. One of the most cherished examples of this, here on campus, is the Kairos Retreat experience. The return of students from Lindenwood Retreat Center on Friday, March 20, marked Andrean’s sixth successful Kairos Retreat.

With an office on the corner by the stairs, students can’t help but flash a smile toward one of the most positive influences at Andrean. With her door always open to talk, Bolakowski gives students a sense of peace and inspiration that they are not soon to forget.

Student Shout Out

Senior Sara Hutton, though not the most well-known girl on campus, is someone that people can’t help but be friends with once they meet her.

With a somewhat quiet and reserved sentiment about her, Hutton is too often taken for being an ordinarily high-achieving student; however, Hutton is anything but ordinary, she is extraordinary. With her college plans set on Gonzaga University as an Accounting and International Business major, Hutton has been able to use her time at high school to be more than a list of activities on an application.

Always seeming to be on the cusp of her next big project, Sara is looking forward to her next event for Youth Day of Caring. Every year, through the Power of Youth and the United Way of Porter County, Sara helps organize a major service project for the year. This year, on April 18, Sara and 200 volunteers will work to cleanup Talltree Arboretem & Gardens.

Though Hutton has performed innumerable acts of selfless service, her complete modesty never fails to impress. Like the beauty of abundant greenery taken for granted, by many, every day, Hutton fills every room she enters with freshness; though often overlooked, her compassionate essence seems unmistaken.