#1StudentNWI: Ending the School Year with Merrillville High School

#1StudentNWI: Ending the School Year with Merrillville High School

Track Stars in the making:

With their eyes on the prize, Merrillville Boys’ Track Team and Unified Track team won sectional championship titles this May. Both teams saw this as one step closer to their major goal: the state track meet at Indiana University Bloomington on June 2nd.

The boys’ track team advanced 3 relays and 15 individual events to regionals. Junior pole vaulter, Jaylen Glass placed second at sectionals.

“We showed up and did what we were expected to do, win,” said Glass.

Xavier Griffin placed 1st in the 300 meter hurdles and Dominique Wood placed 2nd in the 400 meter dash. At regionals, the boys snatched the regional title. Glass placed 4th overall.

“At regionals the stakes are so much higher, it's completely different than sectionals, if you want to get to state you have to show up and show out,” Glass said.

The Unified Track team also received a sectional title. Beating Valpo by just 3 points, the Pirates were on their way to regionals. Korey Parker placed 1st in the 400 meter dash, Malachi Williams placed 1st in the long jump and the Boys’ 4 by 100 meter relay placed second. At Regionals, the unified track team placed 4th overall out of 10 teams and advanced to state. Edward Akins and Torey Young placed 1st in two heats of the 100 meter dash and the Girls’ 4 by 100 meter relay also placed first.

So long seniors…

1Student-Merrillville-May-2018-02On May 20th, 2018, Merrillville High School had its Baccalaureate Service at Bethel Church in Crown Point. It was a beautiful, spiritual farewell to the class of 2018 with speeches from well respected students, Tatiana Peters and Christian Bracey, members of the school’s bible club. Tatiana spoke about her personal spiritual journey and how it will guide the way in college. Christian spoke about how their journeys throughout high school will always have an impact on their lives.

The Merrillville Choir Choral Teens sang moving songs. The guest speaker, Merrillville’s own, Mr. Wade Boise, gave an uplifting speech about his students, friendship, love, which brought many of the students in the crowd to tears.

SENIOR BREAKFAST

1Student-Merrillville-May-2018-03One of the most highly favored events during senior year between prom and graduation is senior breakfast. Senior Breakfast is one of the last opportunities where students can talk, mingle and celebrate their accomplishments with one another. Everyone had to wear their Sunday best; ladies were required to wear either dresses or semi-formal attire and gentlemen were required to wear a shirt and tie. If someone didn’t have a tie, a principal was waiting at the door with many options to choose from.

1Student-Merrillville-May-2018-05The breakfast was paid for by the money that was raised by senior vs. faculty basketball game. Senior choice awards were given to the winners, categories ranged from best smile to most intelligent to most likely to become famous. After all the awards were given out, seniors were allowed to leave to commence the senior drive around. Seniors drove around the campus of Merrillville High School, showing off their vehicles. Once the drive around was over, the entire class of 2018 went to Miller Beach to enjoy the beautiful weather and have some group fun the week before graduation.

What’s coming up?

Graduation is being held in Engelhart Gymnasium for the first time in 20 plus years. The ceremony is being held June 1st, 2018 at 7 p.m sharp. Admittance to the ceremony with only be allowed with a ticket and special passes are given only to the handicapped. Doors H and R will be opened at 6 p.m. Graduates are to report to door M at 5:30 and park in the student parking lot. The Merrillville Advanced orchestra will be playing the processional. The student selected guest speaker will be Mr. Bo Anthony Patton. The ceremony will last no more than 90 minutes.

Principal Spotlight: Mr. James Stamper

1Student-Merrillville-May-2018-06Our 12th grade principal has a bond that can never be broken. Three months ago, Mr.Stamper gave one of his kidneys to his best friend. He watched his best friend suffer through kidney disease for a couple of years and made the decision to help if he could.

His best friend suffer through dialysis and kidney failure, but, Mr.Stamper jumped at the idea of kidney donations with no second thoughts. His selfless act prolonged his best friend’s life and made him family.

“Next to being a father and a husband, this is one of the most meaningful things I’ve ever done in my life,” Stamper said.

Student Spotlight : Anthony Atria

1Student-Merrillville-May-2018-07Anthony Atria is one of the very few students at Merrillville High School who received a total of six varsity letters at the end of his junior year. He plays left tackle on the football team, wrestles in the 285 pound weight class, and throws shot and discus for the boys’ track team. He is currently ranked 17th in the state of Indiana for wrestling while also being a sectional champion and has a varsity wrestling career record of 37 wins and 11 losses.

Ending the 2017-2018 school year as a junior, Anthony has many college scouts looking his way from Wabash College, Indiana State University, Butler University, and many more.

“Adapting to the different intensities of training and staying focused is the hardest part about being a triathlete,” he said.

In addition to a rigorous sports schedule, he is a six time Merrillville High School scholar athlete and takes multiple AP classes.

“I have to keep my grades up to play sports anyway so why not take AP classes?” Atria said.