#1StudentNWI: Fall for the Fifty-Niners Filled with Sports, Shows, and Spirit

#1StudentNWI: Fall for the Fifty-Niners Filled with Sports, Shows, and Spirit

Thespians Perform Death of a Salesman

This year’s theatre company at Andrean has a lot to live up to. Last year’s thespian show, Peter and the Starcatcher, was ranked among the best in the state. After losing quite a few actors and technicians to the class of 2017, the company returned to St. Basil’s Theater this fall for their production of Death of a Salesman, a somber tragedy about the struggles of an aging salesman, Willy Loman.

Willy Loman is portrayed by Matt Tarala, a three-year veteran of the Thespian Troupe. This is his first lead role.

“Being a lead is no walk in the park,” Tarala said. “It is a huge honor but also an immense responsibility. Granted, it was so much hard work just mentally trying to fit into the character and figuring out every little detail from the voice inflection of a line to the slight differentiation of facial expressions.”

For Tarala, understanding the mindset of Willy Loman was no easy feat, as the 17-year-old actor and the 63-year-old salesman had little to nothing in common.

1Student-Andrean-Oct-2017-02The rest of the company also faced challenges when preparing for the play.

“It’s more serious and challenged the whole cast as actors. I liked the show a lot because of its difficulty,” said Senior Tessa Boby.

Boby plays Willy’s wife Linda Loman. Boby in particular had a highly emotional role and had to learn how to stay in the right state of mind.

“Being told to shut up on the daily [was especially difficult]. It’s hard to cry over your husband every day,” Boby said.

The troupe will take Death of a Salesman to regionals this fall, and, if all goes well, the thespians will continue to state in January.

Volleyball Suits-Up for Semistate

1Student-Andrean-Oct-2017-03After a stunning season, Andrean’s volleyball team played at Semi-State on Saturday, October 28. Going into the game, the girls felt prepared and enthusiastic. Last year’s team also played in the Semi-state Championship, only to lose to Yorktown. A year later, the team is ready for a second chance at State.

“I think this year we are more focused on what we want to accomplish this season and how far we want to go in the postseason,” said Libero and Team Captain Christina Dal Santo. “Losing in the semi-state championship last year is pushing us even harder this year to finish where we left off. We know what it takes to win, and we have the confidence to do so.”

Dal Santo’s fellow captain and twin sister Jenna Dal Santo agreed. Both twins attribute their success in part to the close-knit relationships between team members.

“My favorite part about being on this team is how close we all are,” Jenna said. “We love hanging out between games and joking around with each other.”

The team even had a steak dinner and a pumpkin carving contest to mentally prepare for the game.

Junior Setter and Captain Serena Wagner shares the twins’ good feelings about Semi-state.

“We have been preparing for every game like it is our last,” Wagner said. “We go into practice knowing it is not going to be easy, but we are coming into this game with all [we’ve] got and we are not giving up.”

Teacher Spotlight: Chris Skinner

1Student-Andrean-Oct-2017-04After graduating from Andrean in 2006, Chris Skinner returned to his alma mater four years later, not as a student but as a teacher. Skinner now teaches biology at all three academic levels, exposing him to students of all ages. Skinner’s own passion for the subject began with the very class he now teaches: Honors Biology.

Even though he is now one of the core teachers at Andrean, Skinner did not intend to teach at all when he first graduated high school. For his first two years at Purdue University, Skinner was on the Pre-Med track, but he switched his major to Biology Education during his sophomore year.

Looking back at the decision now, Skinner cannot imagine any other life.

“I've thought about an alternate career choice for ten minutes now, and it's hard to see me doing anything other than teaching and coaching. I love it so much I can't envision anything else,” he said.

Skinner’s life at Andrean is twofold; not only does he teach biology, but he also is the head coach of the football team.

“Coaching is what inspired me to become a teacher, because it's essentially the same thing,” he said.

Skinner’s goals with football have always closely correlated with his goals for teaching.

“Honestly, it's not the winning or the championships–although that is the ultimate goal. I take pride in teaching these kids life lessons,” Skinner said. “I try to teach life skills that will stay with them after their time at Andrean.”

Student Spotlight: Cristina Poole

1Student-Andrean-Oct-2017-05There’s a new DJ in town. Andrean Senior Cristina Poole is the youngest employee at 27 Entertainment, a DJ service in Valparaiso. Poole scored a job as an assistant DJ over the summer and will continue to work there throughout the school year. Last spring, Poole was not even thinking about getting a summer job, let alone working as a DJ, but after talking to a few of her friends who were involved with the business, she decided to give it a shot.

Poole’s position as assistant DJ involves setting up speakers and lights, mixing and playing songs, and programming lighting. She works at a variety of events, mainly pool parties and weddings.

In a way, the work she does as a DJ is similar to what she does as a part of the Andrean Theatre Company. Much of what she does, such as setting up speakers and lights and coiling cords, is the same; however, the actual events are completely different, and shows take much longer to set up.

As far as advice for others goes, Poole would encourage her peers to go after what they want.

“Sure, I’d recommend high schoolers to get a summer job if they need money,” she said. “That’s common sense. However, I encourage high schoolers to go out and apply for jobs [or] internships that they're passionate about. Don't settle.”

One thing is for sure: Cristina Poole will not settle for mediocrity.