What’s recently happened?
Chesterton High School (CHS) celebrated Valentine’s Day sweetly this month with Crush sodas. The idea was sponsored through CHS’s freshmen student government. The goal of the sale was to buy a Crush for your crush, although some students enjoyed sending the treat to friends.
“Our second day of selling, we sold a lot more. It was very successful. We did pretty well overall, and delivering them went smoothly,” Freshman Senator Patrick Mochen said.
The sales took place during students’ lunch hours on February 6, 8, and 10. When students purchased the Crush sodas, an attached note stated who was sending the soda as well as the recipient. The sodas were then delivered as a surprise to the students who were gifted one later in the day.
“It was exciting to receive one, and it was also something nice to enjoy. It’s nice people are thinking about others and giving out kindness,” Senior Olyvia Clark said.
Whether students received a Crush from friends or a significant other, the sale was a great success and spread love throughout CHS’s halls.
What’s coming up?
The 24th annual Family Theatre Production at CHS is presenting “The NeverEnding Story.” Dates to attend the play are Friday the 24th and Saturday the 25th, each at 7 p.m., in addition to the production’s finale on Sunday the 26th at 2 p.m. Tickets are $8 for students and seniors, and tickets for general admission are $10.
“The NeverEnding Story” production is based on Michael Ende’s novel, “The Neverending Story,” and was adapted for plays by David S. Craig. CHS’s German teacher Justin Martinson is directing “The NeverEnding Story.”
“It’s crunch time. We’re working hard and putting so much effort into it, but putting in all that extra time just makes the cast so much closer with each other, and I love that,” Senior Olivia Vogel said.
In “The NeverEnding Story,” a young boy named Bastian discovers a magical book that will teach him many lessons as he travels with the characters into exciting lands throughout their journey. As the Childlike Empress weakens, a buffalo hunter known as Atreyu is the only one in the fantasy world of Fantastic who is able to cure her. Throughout Atreyu’s journey, he experiences many obstacles and faces great danger. The question stands: can Atreyu cure the Childlike Empress and save Fantastica? Tickets will be available at the door or online at our.show/neverendingstory.
Staff Spotlight:
CHS teacher Daniel Paff teaches Environmental Science in addition to AP Environmental Science. Beginning as a biology teacher, Paff has always loved the sciences and has been teaching for 15 years.
“I found myself teaching science before I became a science teacher, so it seemed like a natural progression. I wanted to prove to kids that science is cool, not hard and frustrating,” Paff said.
Paff grew up in a suburb of Lansing, Michigan, and received his undergraduate degree from Western Michigan University. After finishing college, he wanted a job in Michigan and applied to various schools. However, a change in the requirements to teach science around the time of his graduation led him to long-term subbing and searching for teaching jobs out of state.
After attending an education career fair at Western Michigan University, Paff looked at an overview of different schools across the United States and began researching. The overview of schools included Duneland School Corporation, sparking Paff’s interest. At the fair, he was able to meet with the principal at the time and the assistant superintendent, thus securing a position at CHS.
Besides teaching, Paff runs the Marine Biology Program, a summer scuba diving program offered by CHS. The program allows a group of kids to go to a marine research facility in Key Largo, Florida. Here, the kids can explore wrecks and reefs as well as participate in labs and lectures.
Additionally, Paff also runs CHS’s intramural program which runs three sports: fall, winter, and spring. In the past, he has coached middle school cross-country, basketball, and wrestling, and he enjoys the intramural program because he is able to remain within the coaching sphere.
Outside of teaching, Paff enjoys spending time with his family, as well as traveling to experience different cultures and viewing the world with an environmental conscience.
“I genuinely look through the nerdy lens of the environmental realm. I’m legitimately looking forward to seeing and comparing and contrasting environmental approaches from one country to the next,” Paff said.
Student Spotlight:
Senior Aubrey Isakson is on her way to earning her private pilot license.
Beginning her internship with Eagle Aircraft, a flight school in Valparaiso, IN, Isakson has been able to launch her aviation career as a high school student. After learning about aviation and piloting licenses over the summer, Isakson’s fascination grew. Due to the intensive nature of acquiring the proper licensing, she was unsure if she was able to pursue her dream. However, CHS’s internship program allowed Isakson the opportunity to continue with her goals.
“The internship has given me that ability to get this done. I don’t think I would have been able to finish without the internship,” said Isakson.
Isakson has flown since June of 2022 and has held her internship since August. During the school day, she leaves in the afternoon to attend flight school. There, she goes over her itinerary with her flight instructor. She typically stays at the airport five to six times a week and operates the Cessna 172, Plane 4347 ROMEO, and the 762.
Isakson has flown to Warsaw, West Lafayette, and Gary, Indiana, and spoken with the air traffic control. When she returns to Eagle Aircraft, she discusses what went well and what can be improved for future flights. Additionally, she also has traveled to LaPorte, Gary, and Michigan City’s airport. Excitingly, Isakson is now endorsed to fly solo to Warsaw.
Back in November, she flew about 20 times. As the Northwest Indiana winters brush in, inclement weather can be a holdup. When the weather is unsuitable for flying, Isakson takes to studying.
Outside of school, Isakson is involved in tennis, hiking, and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)-related activities. After graduation from CHS, Isakson has officially committed to Purdue University’s Professional Flight degree. Isakson plans to attend Purdue Polytechnic with a major in professional flight and is considering adding a double major or minor in business or a STEM-based field.
In aviation, a student must begin by earning their private license before graduating to instrument training so that they may legally fly into the clouds. From there, the student can earn their commercial license while accumulating 250 hours. Isakson has already completed 40 hours and aspires to be an airline pilot. To continue through the hierarchy of licenses to work as an airline pilot, a student is required to earn an airline transport pilot (ATP) license and a rotor transition program (RTP) license in college, as well as accumulate 1,000 hours.
Isakson passed her Private Pilot check ride after nine months of hard work and dedication. She completed a six hour long exam which included an oral portion lasting four hours where the student walks their instructor through various scenarios, utilizing what they have learned. Following the oral portion is the action-based portion where the student completes a two-hour cross-country flight.
“It’s definitely a roller coaster feeling because one minute it’s like, ‘Oh my gosh I can’t believe I’m doing this,’ but that feeling of totally being in control and being able to land that plane by yourself is exhilarating,” Isakson said.