What’s Happening:
Griffith High School’s 94th annual commencement ceremony was held on Sunday, June 10 in the GHS main gym at 2 p.m. Seniors walked through the gym for one last time with their caps and gowns on and received their diplomas. Speeches were given by students such as Valedictorian, Thomas Perez; Salutatorian, Sam Stassin; and Senior Class President Ali Schoon.
The ceremony began with the processional by the GHS Concert Band, directed by Mr. Aaron Alexander, a new band director who arrived for the 2017-2018 school year. GHS Chorale sang “The Star Spangled Banner” directed by Vocal Music Director Ms. Kelly Bourget, who also arrived new for the 2017-2018 year. Principal Brian Orkis addressed the class of 2018, a class who he became very close with. He emphasized their accomplishments, including a Robotics team that advanced all the way to super regionals this year, with team members attending colleges such as Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Many graduates are branching out all over the country and attending superb universities. The class received a total of over $1.5 million in scholarships. Orkis became principal the year the class entered high school, and they grew very close together as they became accustomed to high school life over the four years. Speeches were then given by Stassin, Perez, and Schoon before guidance counselor and senior class sponsor Michelle Udchitz presented the class of 2018. Senior class officers were presented first: President, Ali Schoon; Vice President, Jake Diamond; Secretary, Jessica Lopez; and Treasurer, Laura Reid. Top ten were then presented: Thomas Perez, Sam Stassin, Gabe Dudlicek, Ben Jacobs, Grace Szymanski, Kacie Kruhaj, Laura Reid, Leslie Leon-Aguilar, Cameron Bobos, and Molly Bradford. The remaining class members were then announced. Superintendent Michele Riise, who also is new to GHS for the 2017-2018 year, presented diplomas and pronounced the graduates.
Student Spotlight:
Graduate Gabe Dudlicek is bound to do great things in the future. After graduating third in his class with a 4.4462 GPA, he discovered that he actually was second in his class, since class ranks were finalized after first semester. Dudlicek is heading off to Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Worcester, Massachusetts. WPI is a private university focused on sciences and engineering, and specializes in robotics.
Dudlicek was involved in the robotics club for five years, with his mom, Gracia Dudlicek, as the coach for all five years. He started it in sixth grade, and the club has since grown to every elementary school. He also began Griffith’s FIRST Lego League team in middle school, and in high school, he started Griffith’s FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) team, CTRL+ALT+DESTROY.
Robotics has become huge at Griffith, with all their teams advancing to state and super regional competitions. He was heavily involved in computers at GHS, and convinced the school to buy a 3D printer this past school year. As soon as the printer arrived, Dudlicek assembled it and started printing before computer science teacher Nick Zivanovic even knew it arrived.
“I passed Orkis in the hall and he told me to have Gabe teach me how to work the printer,” said Zivanovic in a speech at recognition night when presenting Dudlicek with the Computer Science Hall of Fame Award.
Outside of school and robotics, Dudlicek plays bass for the band Capernaum, which he has be a part of for five years now. Capernaum has played many gigs at Bridge’s Scoreboard and various other venues, and had the chance to play at Griffith’s Rock n' Rail Fest. He also plays in the worship band at his church, and plays ukulele on the side, and sings. Dudlicek is a Boy Scout, was an assistant senior patrol leader, and became an Eagle Scout.
What’s Coming Up:
Five incoming senior girls will be attending ALA Hoosier Girls State at Trine University in Angola, IN from June 24-June 30. Emma Loomis, Zoe Dieguez, Molly Mills, Stephanie Lester, and Maddie Nolan will attend. At this week long event, girls will learn about citizenship and the political system of Indiana through a mythical city, county, and state. The week is sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary, and focuses on teaching young women pride in being an American citizen, educating them on basic government principles, and helping them understand American traditions. It focuses on three key parts: Freedom, Democracy, and Patriotism. Girls should leave with higher confidence, better leadership skills, and a desire to maintain government processes.
Hoosier Boys State took place the week prior to HGS, from June 17-June 23 at Trine University in Angola, IN. Two delegates from GHS are being sent: Mikey Worosz and Jonathan Vasilak, both incoming seniors. They will learn real-world skills and leadership, all while learning about government with two made up parties. They will participate in elections, propose laws, negotiate bills, and enforce legislation on a local and state level. By the end of the week, participants will know more about governments.
Teacher Spotlight:
During the 2017-2018 school year, GHS lost and gained teachers. Whether it be retirement or simply seeking better opportunities, students lost teachers that sometimes seemed to hold departments together. However, new teachers came in and quickly surprised students with their dedication. Aaron Alexander was one such teacher who replaced the retired band director. Although many students questioned him and his different approach to music, they quickly opened up to him. Alexander stepped right in and even directed the pit band for the spring musical on top of teaching elementary, beginning, concert, and symphonic band.
“Mr. Alexander stepped right in and handled everything surprisingly well,” said incoming senior Brianna Quintana. “Being band director comes with a lot, because you are teaching four different bands, as well as arranging concerts, marching band, and in some cases, being the pit director for drama.”
The music department also gained Kelly Bourget, the new choir teacher. Bourget also jumped right in, teaching concert choir, advanced women’s chorus, chorale, as well as a men’s group that met after school. Bourget became vocal director for the spring musical, and has experience in theatre herself.