#1StudentNWI: Crown Point welcomes the winter season with sports, holiday events, and volunteering

#1StudentNWI: Crown Point welcomes the winter season with sports, holiday events, and volunteering

What happened?

There have been some exciting events happening recently in Crown Point. Smalltown Coffee Company, located just off the historic square, had its grand opening to the public on Friday, November 6.

Currently, Smalltown Coffee Company is taking dine-in and take out orders. Local reviews have been positive so far, with one customer, Bob Hajvert stating that “they did such an amazing job with the place! So modern, with amazing high-end equipment that blends into the workspace for such a luxury experience. Their coffee is really good.” 

Customer Andrea Adams also praised the new coffeeshop, saying, “this place has great coffee, tasty treats, and awesome people. I love their oat milk lattes and chocolate chip shortbread. So yummy!” 

A current situation affecting many Crown Point residents is that Crown Point Community School Corporation has decided to go back to full time e-learning. Though students have been sent home for an indefinite amount of time, athletes and theatre students are still finding ways to get through these difficult times and push forward for the school. 

The basketball season starts soon, and sports like swimming and diving have already put out their roster for the year. The theatre program has also announced dates for the upcoming fall play. 

What's coming up?

The snow and cold weather are coming. One of Indiana's biggest tourist attractions, the “A Christmas Story” exhibit, will soon open-up again at the Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond for the holiday season. 

On November 28, Crown Point will host their winter market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sparta Dome. 

The annual tour of lights will also be returning for the holiday season, and is an event where families can enjoy a drive-thru experience of Christmas lights throughout Crown Point. 

The Southlake YMCA will be hosting an out-of-school care and e-learning assistance program. It is a five-day program to be held every week for elementary students beginning November 16. This starts the same day that Crown Point Community School Corporation elementary school students switch back to a full-time e-learning schedule. The program will be a fun educational experience where kids can paint, play games, and more. 

The Southlake YMCA is also holding a food drive to support people in need in the Crown Point community. They will be accepting non-perishable food donations now through November 23, which can be submitted in the donation box in the lobby of Southlake Mall. 

At Crown Point High School, there will be a total of six performances of the fall play “The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge,” held from November 18 to 22. In the play, Scrooge does his best to get through obstacles created by the ghost of Christmas. This heartwarming Christmas comedy will not only make you laugh, but will also send shivers down your spine with the drama that is included throughout. 

Student spotlight

This month's student spotlight is Crown Point High School Girls’ Basketball Team’s starting center Lilly Stoddard. Stoddard started playing on the varsity team as a sophomore where she averaged 9 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game for the 26-1 Bulldogs.

This season helped put Crown Point’s Lady Bulldogs in the top five rankings for the conference. Further, Stoddard’s stellar performance in her sophomore season led to her verbal commitment to Purdue University. 

Stoddard stands at a towering 6 feet 4 inches, which is the perfect height for her position. In addition to playing on the varsity basketball team, Stoddard is also an outstanding volleyball player for the Bulldogs. Athleticism seems to run in her family as her older sister Abby plays for the Butler University Women’s Basketball Team. Crown Point Bulldog fans are eager to see the younger Stoddard, compete in college as well.