Teacher Spotlight: Mitch Nelson
This year has seen the development of one of CHS’ newest clubs, the Social Justice League, headed by social studies teacher Mitch Nelson.
“Social Justice League came about in early September as a direct response to the polarizing events of the Unite the Right Rally and corresponding counter-protests and violence from Charlottesville, Virginia,” Nelson said. “While speaking with two seniors, students in the International Baccalaureate program Sonia Holsen and Paige Donovan, about this event, Sonia stated, ‘I just wish there were something we could do.’ I interpreted her comment to mean opening an appropriate and understanding dialogue between groups of opposition, specifically at our school, and I stated, ‘Maybe there is something we can do.’”
The CHS Social Justice League models their philosophy after the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., stating that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
The club joins many of its kind nationwide, all with similar goals.
“Here at CHS, we hope to provide a regular opportunity for people of diverse perspectives, life experiences and beliefs to gather together to respectfully and appropriately discuss these hot-button social, political, economic and occasionally divisive issues of our day. We aim to not necessarily change people’s minds about these issues, but instead allow all sides adequate room to express themselves, which in turn gives us all an opportunity to learn from one another,” Nelson said.
The Social Justice League has only been around for a few months but has already started to leave its mark. The week of Halloween, they tried out a “Mix-It-Up at Lunch Week,” offering students a way to sit with people they would not normally sit with. The tables were arranged by birth months and included a set of icebreaker questions.
“I believe that these opportunities are essential for students to step outside of their comfort zones and experience different people, knowledge, and events that they would not normally interact with. Unfortunately, here at CHS, when we tried the event, it went poorly to say the least,” Nelson said. “That is not to say it was a total failure, as the prospect of stepping outside of this comfort zone is often challenging and intimidating for many. We see this as a process, a journey, and not a destination; we aim to try it again in the spring and hope to have some more incentives for participation, and, ideally, better results.”
Upcoming events for SJL include selling club t-shirts to raise money, and they just recently had Billie Dempsey, a traditional educator from the Potawatomi Tribe of Southern Michigan, talk about her culture, heritage, beliefs, and life experiences.
“In addition to these items on the agenda, SJL will also be attending Merrillville High School on Dr. MLK Jr. Day for a student symposium for social justice. Their high school has had a similar club for close to 20 years, and they are really the region’s leaders in this type of program. They have been an inspiration to us and have mentored us during the past few months. This is a relationship we hope to foster and benefit from. Social Justice, again, is not a destination, but a journey. By opening people’s minds up to different perspectives and beliefs, we hope to foster a more conducive climate in this building for justice for all students,” Nelson said.
Student Spotlight: Jordan Tuel
Senior Jordan Tuel has been involved in music and theatre her whole life, and she is proud of it.
“My father went to Notre Dame,” Tuel shared, “so the first thing I ever learned how to perform was the Notre Dame Fight song. I plan to continue music through college, and I want to major in musical theatre and do some clubs on the side. I would hate to just never be in a choir again.”
Tuel has been involved in theatre throughout all of high school, so of course she has her favorite productions.
“I’ve liked a lot of our productions, but I really liked Subpar Heroes and Little Shop of Horrors. The cast in both were great, and the productions were both fantastic and worth all the time that went into them.”
Besides being in theatre, Tuel is also involved in Creative Writing and Pride Club, among other things.
“Creative Writing is fun because I get feedback on my writing,” Tuel added, “and Pride Club is nice because you get to talk to likeminded people.”
Beyond all her accomplishments at the high school, Tuel has her other highlights from her involvement in drama.
“I was in a girls honor choir in 8th grade, and I got to go to Ohio and sing with a group of 60 other talented girls. I also have had an adaptation of a speech I made posted in the Michigan City paper,” Tuel said.
What's Happening: Chesterton Gives Back
This year, Chesterton High School is giving back to the community throughout the holiday season.
For the past few weeks, students brought new or gently used coats, jackets, and sweaters to school and deposited them in boxes set up by Student Government. All donations will go to Pine Ridge Reservation, and the event will continue until Nov. 30.
The annual food drive is also continuing this year, with all Duneland Schools contributing. The high school is collecting goods from Nov. 27 to Dec. 7. Many of the teachers offer incentives, such as extra credit or a class party, to the group that brings in the most items, which creates friendly competition between students.
After collection ends, various student groups will meet at the food pantry to unload and organize the items alongside the food drive chair, CHS Social Studies Teacher Mitch Nelson. These groups include International Baccalaureate students, Natural Helpers, Helping Hands, Student Government, and the Social Justice League.
The CHS wrestling team and bodybuilding classes also help provide labor and man-power, and some AP and honors social studies classes will help sort and organize the items before they are sent to the food pantry. Finally, the district’s maintenance and operations department donates their time and materials for the physical collection at all of the other Duneland Schools, as well as providing transportation to the food pantry.
What’s Coming Up: 45th Annual Madrigal Dinners
The Chesterton High School Music Department will put on its 45th annual Madrigal Dinners the first weekend of December.
The show will have five performances, starting on Friday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m., continuing with a 4 p.m. performance and a 7 p.m. performance on Saturday, Dec. 2, and concluding with 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. performances on Sunday, Dec. 3. Tickets sold quickly when they went on sale on Nov. 20.
The annual dinner has become a holiday tradition for many families who visit the “Greate Hall” for “Ye Olde Madrigal Christmas Feasts.” The dinner is set in the 16th century and features Elizabethan settings and costumes. The show choirs as well as the orchestra will be singing, playing, juggling, entertaining, and serving food throughout each performance.
The dinner itself will include chicken breast, a relish tray, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad, wassail, and dessert, but nut-free and vegetarian plates will be available upon request. All food is prepared by the CHS Cafeteria staff.
Finally, this year, the leading roles will all be filled by seniors. The Lady of the House will be played by Jordyn Soffa, the Lord of the House by Logan Ginther, the Monk by Stephen Mayersky, the Steward by Jaeden Taylor, and St. Lucy by Delaney Schavey.