What’s recently happened?
Chesterton High School's (CHS) American Red Cross Club recently hosted a blood drive. The blood drive lasted during the school day, allowing students to come down at the time of their appointments.
For this specific blood drive, the American Red Cross Club chose only in-school students to give their blood.
Although, another blood drive is currently being planned for in the spring, that is expected to be open to the community.
The American Red Cross Club contacted local businesses to partner with to supply food for the donors. Biggby Coffee in Chesterton provided free coupons and cookies.
In order to give blood, donors have to be at least 16 years old. Those who are 16 and want to give blood require a parent's signature on a parent consent form. For donors older than 16 years of age, a parent consent form is unnecessary.
“We had a lot of first-time donors which was amazing to see that, and a lot of returning donors so we’re really glad that we can stay in their minds and they understand the importance of giving blood,” Agarwal said.
The process of giving blood through the club is a screening where participants will have to answer questions regarding the individual’s health and current medication use, followed by a prick of the finger to determine if that individual is eligible to give blood.
“We had 70 pints of blood collected. So each pint of blood can save up to three lives, so that can add up to 210 lives,” Agarwal said.
The Red Cross Organization partnered with the Red Cross Club at CHS to help supply staff with tables, food, and t-shirts, as well as walk the club members through the process of blood donation.
What’s coming up?
Chesterton High School’s Music Department will be performing Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Showings will be in the high school auditorium on Thursday, November 17 at 7:00 p.m., Friday, November 18 at 7:00 p.m., and Saturday, November 19 at 3:00 p.m., and an additional showing at 7:00 p.m.
The cast for the fall musical includes a children’s choir with over 60 kids from Duneland schools within the range of 1-8 grade, as well as 50 high school participants.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a musical that is based on the Bible's Book of Genesis. The premise of the musical relies heavily on the story of Joseph. In that, Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers due to his capacity to analyze people's dreams.
The lyrics written by Tim Rice, and the music created by Andrew Lloyd Webber fuse together to create an exciting family-friendly production.
Kristen Morris will be directing the CHS performance in accordance with Brian Grenier as the Pit Director and Gina Jones as the Accompanist.
The tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students, and $5 for children in elementary school.
Tickets for the performance will be available solely online at this link: https://www.showtix4u.com/events/18609
Staff Spotlight
Chesterton High School English teacher Mrs. Breitzka instills kind morals and a fresh perspective with her students. Beginning her teaching career in Hawaii, Breitzka explained how being in a different environment shaped her worldview.
“I think teaching in an incredibly diverse environment where I was actually the minority was life-changing and it kind of fueled my fire for standing up for everybody,” Breitzka said.
After taking a few years’ hiatus to raise her family, she taught for a brief period of time at New Prairie High School in New Carlisle, Indiana before coming to CHS, where she plans to stay for the remainder of her career.
Aside from teaching English to both 9th and 10th graders, she also teaches her students to prioritize and diligently work despite tough times while teaching through examples about how to show compassion and care for others.
In addition to teaching, she also runs a club called Talk-a-Phobics a support group that began last year for public speaking anxiety.
“Starting Talk-a-Phobics is probably one of the most rewarding things I’ve done in my career,” Breitzka said.
Prior to teaching, Breitzka attended what is now Purdue Northwest, having attended both campuses and graduating from Purdue Calumet with a teaching degree.
“Teaching is one of the hardest jobs to do but it’s still- I always say there is no hoop I won’t jump through to continue doing a job I love,” Breitzka said.
Student Spotlight
Junior Riley Tosseng is an avid athlete. Participating in both varsity volleyball and track, she is also an active member in club sports outside of school.
Tosseng is currently enrolled in a vocational program at Hobart High School for sports medicine. She is interested in physical therapy and teaching following her high school career.
In her vocational program, Tosseng is learning how to perform CPR, tape ankles, as well as gaining CPR certification.
“I plan to major in early education and be a teacher,” Tosseng said.
In addition to playing sports both in and outside of school, Torrent plays club volleyball for Ignite in Crown Point, with the season lasting from July to November, when she then switches to school-related sports activities.
“After high school, I am planning on playing volleyball in college and I wanna play somewhere in the southern states,” Tosseng said.