Featured photo taken by Justin Martinson
What’s recently happened?
Chesterton High School (CHS) recently said “Herzlich Willkommen” or “Welcome” to a group of 18 German foreign exchange students visiting the United States. Students enrolled in CHS’s German foreign language course were able to form close bonds with their respective German partners as they embarked on their new adventure.
While here, the American hosts explored Chicago and areas in Northwest Indiana to share a glimpse of day-to-day life in the United States. The students were able to gather together and meet up frequently over the course of their stay. The group also partook in bowling, a dinner party game, and a school lock-in at Michigan City High School.
“The most memorable moment for me would be the tilt experience in Chicago at the John Hancock Tower where you are tilted and you can see straight through the floor,” said Matthias Wulle, a German foreign exchange student.
The German American Partnership Program (GAPP) is a program that links German students with American host families for a period of a few weeks while they attend an American school and experience American culture. Then, during the summer, those same American students are able to experience German culture and everyday life while also attending school in Germany.
“Mostly because my family doesn’t make vacations outside of Europe, I just wanted to see new continents and be a foreign exchange student. I also think it’s fun to go on a vacation with different kinds of people than you usually do. I mostly go on vacation with my family, but I just wanted to go on vacation with my classmates right now,” said Wulle.
The GAPP Exchange of 2023 has been deeply meaningful, particularly because it is the first one after a four-year-long break mainly due to COVID-19. In the summer of 2023, American students from CHS will be able to complete the GAPP Exchange as they travel overseas to Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm, Germany.
“The exchange was awesome. Today, when we said goodbye, I think almost everyone was crying. I’ve only been a teacher on the trip for one year, and it wasn’t like that then. It wasn’t to that extent of the connection. It’s proof that the exchange did its job and connected everyone very closely,” Justin Martinson, CHS German teacher said.
What’s coming up?
Prom is rapidly approaching at CHS, generating excitement throughout the school. Tickets have been on sale since April 17 and will continue being sold until May 1, as the prom will be held May 6 at Duneland Falls Banquet & Meeting Center.
“I’m really excited to see everybody put together in their little princess gowns. I’m just so excited to have this experience with my friends. You only get junior and senior year to have a prom. It’s something we haven’t done yet, and I feel like it’s going to be so exciting,” said Junior Alivia Pulsoni.
This year’s theme, “A Night Under the Stars” has been receiving support from many students.
“Personally, I’d say this year I am excited about the theme. I’m honestly most excited about going and hanging out with my friends for a while and having a good time with them at prom,” said Senior Gannon Michna.
Staff spotlight:
Justin Martinson teaches German II and German III at CHS.
Having studied German in high school and college, he felt drawn to teaching and took to studying abroad in Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm, Germany through the GAPP Exchange. While living and studying in Germany, he worked in a hospital and progressed in a course to teach adults English. Beginning as an English teacher abroad, Martinson returned to the U.S. to teach Americans German.
“As a kid, my cousin from Sweden came and visited. Some other cousins visited throughout my childhood and I was inspired to learn Swedish. Once I got to eighth grade, the school offered other languages besides Swedish, so honestly I went with the closest language to Swedish, which would be German. My mom’s side of the family was German, so I thought I would learn it,” Martinson said.
Martinson attended Indiana University in Bloomington (IUB) for his undergraduate degree. Here he majored in communications and culture and minored in German and fine arts. Following his time at IUB, Martinson attended Calumet College of St. Joseph where he earned a Master of Arts and Teaching.
Martinson is a sponsor of German Club, and was also the director of CHS’s Family Theater Production for three years, with hopes of returning to direct again in the coming years.
In German Club, those interested in German culture gather to celebrate and learn about different aspects pertaining to Germany. The club celebrates Oktoberfest with bratwurst and German beverages as well as music and dance. In the winter, the club takes a field trip to Chicago’s Christkindlemarket and a German museum. Other times throughout the year, the German club meets up to watch German films.
Having been a former CHS student, Martinson hoped to return to teach where he was a student so that he could follow in his teacher’s footsteps and carry on a legacy.
“I would say it’s the best career shaper, working with former teachers, because they shaped me as a student too. So, I think some of my teachers that have become my colleagues have become my friends, and it’s almost more special. It’s cool to have that long-term relationship with people and to know them a little deeper than as someone I work with,” Martinson said.
Outside of school, Martinson loves to cook with his wife and spend time with both his wife and his daughter. He also enjoys board games, playing guitar, traveling, and will fulfill this year’s GAPP Exchange with the American students visiting Germany during the summer.
Student spotlight:
Junior Julia Dietrich is not “throwin’ away her shot!”
Dietrich has kept herself quite busy throughout her high school career. With theatre being her main focus, Dietrich has also been involved with speech and debate since her freshman year—debate as a freshman and speech for the past two years, respectively.
Music holds a special place in Dietrich’s life. She has also been a dedicated member of the choir, having participated in both concert choir and Bel Canto. She is also a two-year member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society.
Having been in voice lessons for about five years, she enjoys singing as a hobby and in competitive aspects. Dietrich entered CHS's Variety Show, a talent show sponsored by speech and debate, where she won first place after performing a solo. Similarly, she also earned a perfect score on her solo at state during Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA).
Nonetheless, theatre remains at the core of Dietrich’s passions. Dietrich shadowed the director for “Rent” at Chicago Street Theater and has acted in each musical since her freshman year, in addition to student directing in her sophomore and junior years. She has also worked in the technical crew and stage managing.
“I love being a part of a production and going to see theatre shows. I tend to analyze shows in my free time, and block them wherever I'm able to,” Dietrich said.
Outside of theater, Dietrich is a regular member of German Club and is also in her first year of the National Honor Society (NHS). In addition to German Club, Dietrich also was a partner in this year’s GAPP Exchange. Her partner, Matthias, visited with other German foreign exchange students and their hosts a few times each week.
“It was a really great experience, and I made some great friends,” Dietrich said. “I intend to do it again next year, and hopefully actually go to Germany that time so I can get the full experience and visit my newfound friends!”
Dietrich plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in theatre with a focus on directing, in addition to a foreign language or gender studies. Although she is currently unsure of where she would like to attend college, she hopes to attend a school near or in New York City.