What’s recently happened?
Crown Point High School’s Excalibur yearbook staff has held its first book distribution in 3 years. After months of hard work, the staff was able to share their achievements with the rest of the high school.
“What we would do is that we would go out in the E-Wing parking lot in the summer before school started and we would distribute our yearbooks. We would have everybody come from their cars and we would ask them their name once they pulled up, cross them out of the list, and we would give them their book. It was kind of like a drive-thru,” said Junior Isabella Robles.
This is Robles’ third year on staff and she's glad she got to experience distribution in her junior year.
“I feel that this being my first real distribution made the book feel more real. It made it feel more like we were involved in the school and not just a club, that we were important enough to happen in school,” said Robles.
This year’s distribution was done at the front of the school with music and games set up for the rest of the students. Students got to interact with the staff and each other as they read about memories that they made this year. The yearbook serves as a reminder that no matter how different you or your interests are, you are still connected with a wide network of people who go through the same everyday challenges as you. Group activities like distribution give students an outlet to communicate with their peers and form new relationships.
What’s coming up?
Crown Point High School will host its graduation ceremony on June 7. The senior class of 2022 has faced one of the biggest challenges they could have. The pandemic hit when they were sophomores, altering the course of their education and lives. Still, through trials and tribulations, Crown Point’s seniors have come out on top.
“It’s kind of scary but at the same time exciting. I’m ready to move on to that next chapter of my life but I know I’m going to miss some of the people here so it’s very bittersweet,” said Senior Jasmine Denvit.
Denvit plans on going to Purdue University Northwest to major in Biology. She’s on track to go to medical school and long jump for their track team next Spring.
“I’m very excited to graduate, but it’s very emotional thinking about leaving all of my friends. I’m very excited to see how far they go in life,” said Senior Hannah Ingraham.
Ingraham also plans on going to Purdue Northwest University. She is going to study to become a nurse.
Staff Spotlight
This month’s staff spotlight is Crown Point’s own Bryan Trippeer. Trippeer teaches Pre-AP biology as well as AP environmental sciences.
“When I was in high school, I always liked school. I always thought when I was younger that it would be interesting to be on the other side, instead of being a student, being a teacher,” said Trippeer.
Trippeer has been teaching for 25 years now. He was also the coach for the Crown Point High School’s swim team for a bit.
“I didn’t really know what I wanted to teach, I knew I wanted to be a teacher but when I got into college I didn’t know what subject matter I wanted to teach. I was always really good at math and science so it was kind of a debate between those two. I decided to do science because I thought that it would be a good course to teach,” said Trippeer.
Trippeer’s students are made up of a mix of freshmen, sophomores, and juniors.
“I like how Mr. Trippeer is strict because it actually makes me get my work done on time, and my favorite thing about his class is the fun projects that we do,” said Freshman Bella Jackson. Jackson is a part of Trippeer's Pre-AP biology class.
“My favorite thing about Mr. Trippeer is his way of making learning interesting. Unlike my other teachers, he makes his lessons fun and I don’t zone out in his class,” said Freshman Maryam Abdulla.
Like Jackson, Abdulla takes Trippeer’s Pre-AP biology class.
Science is about learning about the world around us, which is growing and ever changing. It takes a special kind of person to teach a subject as adaptable as this, and Crown Point High School is glad to have Bryan Trippeer take on this task.
Student Spotlight
This month’s student spotlight is Crown Point High School’s Ryan Whitaker. Whitaker was accepted to be a part of Indiana’s Junior All-State Band.
“My mom and sister both played instruments and I always had an interest in it. The thing I like most about the band program is that you can be involved in so many different things while still having time for yourself,” said Whitaker.
Whitaker is in Crown Point’s Royal Regiment and Pep Band as well as Concert Band.
Junior All-State takes auditions from all across the state, and they only accept the top performers to be a part of their band. This year’s concert was to take place at Butler University.
“On Saturday we practiced from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. with a couple of breaks in between where we could socialize and eat. On Sunday we practiced from 11:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.. At 3 we were able to prepare for the concert,” Whitaker stated. Whitaker plans on being in Crown Point’s Wind Ensemble next year, one of the more advanced bands the school offers.