What’s recently happened?
Chesterton High School (CHS) held a career fair for all high school students on October 5. Representatives from different companies came to manage tables with information regarding their businesses in addition to handing out free merchandise and candy. Students were able to explore a wide variety of career possibilities pertaining to a plethora of interests.
“I came to the career fair to get information on future careers I might want to go into. My main career choice is teaching right now, so I went to the Duneland School Corporation stand because I would like to teach here one day. I also went to the FBI stand to see what it was all about,” Senior Tilon Woodard said.
For many students, life after high school seems daunting. However, the career fair was intended to ease the minds of students. Representatives from the military, the Indiana Dunes National Park, trades, and local businesses came to provide insight into post-high school paths students may not have considered.
“I decided to come to this event because I’m not really sure where I want to go in life yet, so I’m just looking around to figure out what I want my future to be and I figured the Career Fair would be a great place to find that opportunity,” Sophomore Madison Boatright said.
What’s coming up?
CHS’s Student Government will be hosting a Halloween Trivia Night on October 30 at 6 p.m. This event will help raise money for the Senior Student Government and will also be open to the public.
“The seniors are super excited to kick off our year of fundraising by hosting a Halloween Trivia Night! We hope to see everyone there,” Senior Class Liaison Megan Wilcox said.
The local community is encouraged to visit the CHS cafeteria for a night of trivia, food, refreshments, and a costume contest. Guests can join teams of four to 10 people, with each team having to pay $50. Guests are expected to pay at the door. The best dressed or most festive table will win a prize.
Staff spotlight:
Emily Fletcher has been the operations manager of WDSO, CHS’s school radio, for the past four years.
“WDSO is Chesterton High School's FM radio station that can be found at 88.3 FM in Chesterton, Valparaiso, Portage, Michigan City, Merrillville, and La Porte. It began broadcasting in 1976. It is a non-profit, commercial-free station that mostly plays music, but also offers community-centered educational talk programming,” Fletcher said.
Fletcher attended CHS and graduated in 2003. While in high school, she contributed to WDSO and took radio classes. After graduating, Fletcher attended Purdue University Northwest where she earned her degree in Liberal Arts.
“I wanted to return as a staff member because I have always loved WDSO and I wanted to be able to see it thrive and grow,” Fletcher said.
Much of Fletcher’s job focuses on community outreach and interactions, making no two days alike. Some days, she runs errands for the station and aids students in crafting interview questions or completing station-based projects. She also works to fundraise for WDSO, in addition to training students who wish to DJ. Fletcher is also responsible for adding song requests from students, staff, and listeners to the station’s playlists.
Fletcher chose to work in radio because of her affinity for sharing and listening to music.
“I've always been that person making mixtapes, then mixing CDs, and now making playlists and adding music to WDSO. I really like that I get to give local musicians a chance to play their music on air and am always looking for local bands to come in and share their songs with the world,” Fletcher said.
Outside of school, Fletcher loves playing trivia and spending time with friends or with her husband and 2 year old.
Fletcher’s zeal and dedication to making the radio an engaging experience for both students and listeners is significant when considering the state of WDSO today.
Student spotlight:
Sophomore Devin Throw is devoted to helping others and initiating positive changes in the world.
Throw is a committed student, both in the classroom and in extra-curriculars. He currently is a Student Government Senator. As Senator, Throw is a representative for the Class of 2026. Part of his duties include raising funds for the 2026 Senior Banquet and graduation as well as acting as a voice for the students, ensuring that CHS has a beneficial atmosphere for both faculty and students.
Similarly, Throw is a varsity member of the CHS debate team. He is a member of the Public Forum, which is where two students create a positive or negative statement on a given topic. The students then have to argue against a different pair of students to express their reasonings for their perspective with evidence to a judge.
Throw is also a member of Red Cross Club and Interact Club, which focuses on volunteer opportunities and community.
“I am independently hosting a blood drive this December, and I am going to be shadowing Club President Ashley Lemon during this upcoming blood drive on October 31 to provide the best comfort to donors while yielding the most possible blood to donate through advertising and setting up a comfortable and relaxing environment,” Throw said.
Throw hopes to attend university as a major in international relations or political science with the goal of becoming a United States diplomat and carrying out foreign policy for the United States.
“I aspire to become a diplomat because I am interested in working with others to make the world a better place. In addition to my diplomatic mission, wherever I go, I will try my best to resolve large-scale issues within the given country or countries I work with,” Throw said.
Throw is also involved with the CHS track team. He is a second-year varsity sprinter who sprinted the 100m, 200m, and the 4x100m during last year’s season.
Outside of school, Throw is a Dairy Queen crew member who is working towards a supervisor position. In his free time, Throw enjoys learning about diplomacy, studying history and writing, and inventing creative ideas.
It is with bright minds and kind-hearted people such as Throw that true change can begin.