What’s Happening?
On March 23rd, New Prairie’s National Honor Society chapter held their 2016 induction ceremony. One senior and forty-seven juniors were inducted into the Amzie K. Miller National Honor Society Chapter. NP’s NHS sponsor is Melanie Groves, who lead the ceremony, along with President Madison Michael, Vice-President Ashlynn Smith, Treasurer Joseph Cinal, and Secretary Rileigh Yettaw.
Another highlight for the Cougars was the victorious final month of the show choirs’ competition season. The choirs competed at the North Central Metropolitan Interscholastic Choral Competition on March 6th, where the all-girl choir Sing Sensation placed 3rd in the Unisex division and the co-ed choir Innovation placed 5th in the Mixed Division. Senior Madison Michael performed as a soloist and received Grand Champion in the Broadway/Pop Solo Competition, and also was awarded a scholarship to Show Choir Camps of America. Scholarships were awarded to the top two performers at the competition.
Later, on March 13th, the choirs competed at the Lawrence Central Classic, where Sing Sensation was awarded first runner-up in the Small Unisex Division. Sing Sensation’s back-up band also received the award of Best Band. Innovation won Grand Champion of the Small Mixed Division, and also received caption awards for Best Band, Best Visuals, and Best Vocals. Michael also was awarded Outstanding Soloist in the Small School Category. The choir’s high placings advanced them to the State competition the following weekend. At State, Sing Sensation placed fourth out of nine teams, moving up two places from the previous year. Innovation placed tenth their competition. New Prairie is proud of their choral department’s achievements, and are looking forward to future successes by NP’s choirs. The choirs are directed by Taylor Truster, choreographed by Joe Sato, and the back-up band is directed by Patrick Teykl.
Along with the choirs’ excellent performances, New Prairie’s Pom and Dance Team placed third at the Indiana High School Dance Team Association state competition. The Poms team has 2 seniors, Caitlyn Young and Kenzie Williams, who have been a part of the state qualifying dance team for four years. Along with the team’s high finish, soloist and freshman Mia Bauer placed fourth out of over forty competitors, only missing third place by .02 points. New Prairie is very proud of Mia and the team and their high finishes.
Another great state performance was given by Allie Palmer in gymnastics. Allie performs as the sole member of her team, representing NPHS at gymnastics meets. Allie has been performing in gymnastics since she was three, and competes in beam, vault, floor, and bars at competitions. She qualified for state in beam, and placed 16th out of 43. As stated above, Allie is New Prairie’s only gymnast, and the first gymnast in decades to represent New Prairie’s Gymnastic Team. Palmer is used to being a lone performer, however, since she has competed as a soloist for the local Platinum Gymnastics for many years. “It’s sometimes hard because I don’t have support in the form of a team. But the great support from the community and student body makes up for not having a team,” says Palmer. Allie hopes that her state performance has gotten the word out about NP Gymnastics and she is hopeful that the team will grow in the future. “I’d like to thank my parents, sister, coach, and students for supporting me,” adds Palmer.
What’s Coming Up?
Following winter sports’ state competitions, spring sports will be officially in full swing. April will also see the Spring production taking place. “That’s the Spirit” will take place on the 28th, 29th, and 30th; all performances are at 6:30 p.m. New Prairie’s Band will also be having a giveback night at the McDonald’s in the Toll Road’s Rockne Plaza in Rolling Prairie. It is hosted by the New Prairie Music Boosters and will take place on the 19th from 4-7 p.m. A percentage of all sales during this time will be donated to the Boosters. New Prairie’s Band would like to see the community come out and show support for NP’s musical department.
Teacher Shout Out
Natalie Spevak is a Chemistry and Integrated Chemistry-Physics teacher at New Prairie High School. She graduated from La Porte High School in 2001. She then went on to receive her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Butler University in 2005, and her Master of Education in Administration from Anderson University in 2011. She worked at Anderson-Highland High School for four-and-half-years as a Chemistry and Integrated Chemistry-Physics teacher; she also served as the girls’ soccer coach, National Honor Society sponsor, and SWIM (Substances Will Impa ir Your Mind) sponsor. After that, Ms. Spevak taught at Tipton High School for two years as a Chemistry II and Integrated Chemistry-Physics teacher; she was also the junior class sponsor and Speech Team coach. She has been at New Prairie High School for four years and, along with teaching, chairs the Attendance Committee and is the former sophomore class sponsor. In her free time, Ms. Spevak enjoys hanging out with her dogs, Pauli and Spike, quilting, and wandering through corn fields for Pioneer Seeds in the summer. Ms. Spevak has enjoyed the time she has spent at New Prairie. “New Prairie has a great mix of everything: all kinds of classes and opportunities for our students, a wonderful variety of teachers to call my colleagues, and some pretty fantastic students,” says Ms. Spevak.
Student Shout Out
Ben Swihart is a freshman at New Prairie High School. Ben is a member of the golf team, Las Pumas 2197 (New Prairie’s robotics team), and also plays for the Valparaiso Hockey team, a club team that operates out of South Bend and is in the Michiana High School Hockey League. This is Ben’s sixth year in hockey and he and the Vikings recently won the Indiana State High School Hockey Association 1A State Championships. Valpo defeated Crown Point to win, with a final score of 2-0. Ben is a defensemen for Valpo, following in the footsteps of his dad and older brother, Jacob, who also plays for Valpo. In his free time, Ben likes to watch Dr. Who, go fishing, hunting, and perform magic tricks.