#1StudentNWI: Closing the Year and Saying Goodbye at Merrillville High School

1StudentNWIMerrillvilleHsEnd2Athletics

All spring sports at Merrillville finished their season early except for boys and girls track and field. Merrillville had two girls and two boys advance to state on the weekend of June 5.

Competing for the girls were Senior Jordan Stanley in shot put and Junior Alivia Ash in high jump. Stanley placed 11th with a throw of 39-00.75 feet. Ash placed second with a personal record jump of 5-09 feet.

Placing second has been Ash’s goal since she was a freshman and she achieved this goal by working hard and having confidence.

“When I realized I was going to state again, I was excited and anxious because I wanted to redeem myself from getting second at regionals,” Ash said.

Competing for the boys were Seniors Jordan Downs and Brian Sales. Downs placed fifth in long jump with a jump of 23’7 feet. Sales placed second in the 400-meter dash with a time of 48.33 seconds.

Both Sales and Downs achieved their goal and are very pleased with their performance.

“My main focus at the beginning was to medal but after running faster at sectionals and regionals my goal was to get a state ring,” Sales said.

Merrillville students hold a lantern vigil for Dominique “Toni” Smith

Merrillville High School Alumnus Toni Smith passed away Monday, June 1. In memory of her passing, the Merrillville students along with her family and the community held a candle light ceremony at the high school Monday, June 8.

Smith was a smart, outgoing girl who was involved in many extra-curricular activities including choir and theater at the high school and this past year she attended Valparaiso University. The students and community thought this would be a great way to remember Smith.

That Monday night, many people gathered around the school parking lot to release the lanterns in memory of Toni. The family went first and the friends followed. Previously, Family and friends will always remember that she always had a smile and great spirit.

1StudentNWIMerrillvilleHsEnd1Teacher Spotlight

For Mrs. Kelly Kratz, also known as Coach K, this was her first year teaching at Merrillville High School. As a first year teacher at Merrillville, she already has a few accolades that she will remember forever.

Mrs. Kratz is the assistant coach for the Lady Pirates basketball team. This year, the team made it to semi-state, winning sectionals and regionals in the process. This was a big accomplishment for the team and especially the coaches.

Mrs. Kratz is the head coach for the girls track team and this year the girls did exceptionally well. Two girls made it to state and one of them placed second in high jump.

“I had a great time in classes and for athletics I was very blessed and lucky to have two great teams that I coached,” Mrs. Kratz said.

She is a World History teacher for the freshmen. Mrs. Kratz is pleased with her classes and says she had a great time this year teaching.

The students said that they love Mrs. Kratz and the way that she teaches World History.

Although this was her first year at Merrillville, this was not her first year teaching. She has taught at Valparaiso High School, Chesterton High School and a high school in Detroit, Michigan. Even though she is a young teacher, she has experience from several different high schools.

Orchestra

On May 28 the Merrillville Orchestras had their last concert of the year titled “Spring Strings.” The senior performed at the end of the concert and they were the highlight of the night.

The seniors invited their parents on stage while the other orchestras from the intermediate school, the middle school, and the rest of the high school circled them around the stage and in the auditorium aisles.

As an ensemble, the orchestras played “Ode to Joy” as a farewell to the seniors because it was their last night playing a Merrillville strings player.

Student Spotlight Junior Zach Feign earned the Microsoft Office Specialist Certification (MOS) on May 21 which led him to become the state champion. He received $250, a new Surface and a gift certificate. Feign will be competing at nationals from June 18 thru June 20 in Orlando, Florida. Microsoft administrator for Merrillville High School, Mrs. Sharon Row, is honored to have Feign as a student and overjoyed with his performance at the state competition.

Feign initially doubted that he would be able to attend nationals because of the expensive cost of flying to Orlando. Fortunately, a gofundme account was made to support Feign on his travel and Mrs. Row says that many foundations donated money ranging from $25 to $500.

“I’m proud of the donors. I’m just thanking everyone who cares and supported Zach and making this trip of a lifetime possible for such a deserving student,” Mrs. Row said.

Feign is excited to go on this trip and to compete against 49 other state champions in Orlando.

“I feel pretty good,” Feign said. “I want to thank Mrs. Row for being an incredible teacher that keeps pushing you to do your best.”

1StudentNWIMerrillvilleHsEnd3Graduation

On June 3, class of 2015 graduated with four valedictorians and one salutatorian. The commencement services opened with an address by the 2015 Class President, David Lewis. The valedictorians, Andres Carrillo, Jenna Ducret, Andrew Merced, and Matt Hill and the salutatorian, Morgan Lesich, then gave their speeches.

The speeches contained a combination of humor, lessons learned in high school, and inside jokes that only the senior class would understand.

The Senior Treasurer, Kayla Grant, presented the senior gift, which was a fountain for the Memorial Garden located in front of the Merrillville High School.

Mrs. Sickenger, an AP Language teacher, was chosen by the class of 2015 to deliver the keynote address.

Clubs

There are 116 plus activities and community service projects that 28 different clubs sponsor at Merrillville High School. Some of the most involved clubs include STAND, FCCLA, and Key Club.

These clubs are motivating students get involved in the community which is essential for scholarships and colleges. Each of these clubs offers community service in a different type of way.

Different clubs focus on different ways to help students get involved in the community. The Environmental Club focuses on community service from an environmental point of view while Voices of Reason, a spiritual singing group at Merrillville High School, focuses on the creativity side of community service.

All clubs give students a chance to show others their skills and find new things that interest them.