What's Going On:
The month of May has come and it still feels like mid-January. With the weather moving from rain to snow and into sunshine, things have been a bit crazy.
Here at Westside, things aren’t as wild as the weather.
Earlier in the year, seniors Benjamin Lemon, Tah’Jhane Richardson, La’Shon Patterson, Tieonte Mitchell, D’Arnaz Gaston Jr., and Antwanae’ Jones got together with a sponsor and created what students know as “The Cougar Cave.” They started off selling notebooks, calculators, pens, pencils, binders, and other school necessities along with some snacks like chips, water, Gatorade, cans of pop, and other on-the-go snacks. Over time they grew and added more products like hot pockets, cookies, and smoothies made fresh every day, ice cream and much more. Open 5 days a week from 2:55PM to 5PM, their slogan is, “RAN BY STUDENTS, FOR STUDENTS.” The store proceeds go to the senior needs and to buy more product.
The last progress reports of the year have just recently been sent home and that marks just 26 days until the last day of school for students. Last day of school is May 31st.
On May 4th the ISTEP Part 2 window was opened and all students who hadn't taken their test or that didn’t pass their test will take now be able to take the ISTEP.
What's Coming Up:
The seniors had their Senior Luncheon at Avalon Manor in Merrillville, Indiana hosted by the class President and Vice President. (D’Arnaz Gastoon Jr. and Adriana Harris)
Starting in May the seniors will take a senior trip to Six Flags for their annual “Grad Night.” Six Flags Great America Grad Night is the “Most Extreme Grad Night Party on the Planet!” Highlighted by exclusive park access for high school students to experience their world class coasters, multiple high energy dance areas, DJs, and interactive entertainment. They will get to play and party all night long in a safe and controlled environment, with students from high schools in the nearest states.
On May 11th the Honor Society will hold their annual ceremony to recognize the students who have kept their grades well and have done community service. Many have been members of the Honor Society and many will be new inductees.
On May 17th the Softball and Baseball teams will have their Senior Nights. At the end of the month, one of the two best days of senior year will happen for the seniors. May 25th marks the day of Prom! Some seniors may attend school in the morning to pass time, but many will be spending their morning getting their hair done, make-up done, setting up their houses for their prom send offs, picking up their cars, and doing other tasks in preparation. May 25, 2018 will be a night to remember at Westside Leadership Academy.
Student Spotlight:
The student spotlight for the month of May goes to Adriana Harris.
She is currently a senior at West Side Leadership Academy. Adriana is known all around the school for her involvement and time at the school. Adriana has attended Westside since her 7th grade year and will be graduating this spring.
Adriana has played softball since her freshmen year and is now captain of the softball team. During her junior year she was inducted into the Honor Society. She also worked in the main office as an office assistant, she assisted with creating the 2017 year book, and she was a part of the sports film crew and attended every boys and girls basketball game to record.
Now in her senior year, Adriana is doing bigger, better things. Involved with even more things around the school, she is head of the Yearbook, captain of the softball team, still a member of the Honor Society, the Vice President of the Senior Student Council, head of the film crew, and much more.
Adriana is known around the school for her looks, inspiration, and talents. Playing softball and being at the school for so long has allowed her to become a role model for the younger girls. Holding honor roll since her 7th grade year, she is now graduating with an honors diploma and after graduation will be moving to Texas to attend Texas Southern University to major in Accounting. After graduating from Accounting she plans to go back to school to be a Gynecologist.
Teacher Spotlight:
The spotlight for the month of May goes to Mark Spencer.
Mr. Spencer does not teach a subject at Westside, though, he is founder of the Gary West Side Theatre Guild. For the past two decades, students of Westside have been able to learn about film and the arts from him.
The theater is located in Gary at 900 W. Gerry St. Spencer formed the theatre guild in 1996, shortly after graduating from Indiana University Northwest with a BA in Arts and Theater and joining the staff of Gary West Side Leadership Academy. Mr. Spencer’s first musical at Westside, “Lyrics for Living,” includied more than 100 high schoolers.
"That sort of lets us know that West Side is some kind of barometer, or test, and we have achieved that goal of excellence,” Spencer said. “We have also provided a marketable skill that these young people and community members can take elsewhere.”
With the help of Mark Spencer, West Side has provided a place for local youths to thrive. He has also brought productions ranging from annual plays by iconic, thought provoking playwright August Wilson, family-friendly fare such as “The Wiz” and musical revues such as the “Lyrics” series.
“There is a maturity and an expectation from our ensembles and a great expectation from our audiences,” Spencer said. “We like to present and to offer as professional and as polished projects as possible, and we want to exude excellence constantly, and I can see the steady growth from that."
Mark Spencer may not be a registered teacher at Westside Leadership Academy but he is certainly a teacher in many of our eyes.