What’s recently happened?
On February 22, Hammond Central High School (HC) hosted its annual Black History Month celebration with HC’s Hammond Academy of Performing Arts (HAPA) being center stage. Simultaneously, the annual Living Wax Museum hosted by Teacher Jessica Castillo was being displayed as well.
The Black History Month celebration contained performances from the orchestra, choir, and band, as well as spoken biographies, displayed art from the visual arts department, and more.
The Living Wax Museum featured students posing as historical figures. Students had to remain still as guests passed by; they would also say information about their assigned person from history while acting the role of said person.
Angelina Wheeler participated in both the Living Wax Museum as Alice Ball – an African American chemist back in the late 1890s through the 1910s – and the Black History Month event participating within the orchestra lead by Cheryl Suwardi.
“The atmosphere of the celebration was very inviting and upbeat. Everyone was happy to be there and enjoying everything that was going on. I think the passion everyone had for what they were doing stuck out to me. All the people participating seemed to enjoy it,” said Wheeler.
Participating in the Living Wax Museum presented some challenges to Wheeler, but the community helped her overcome them.
“At first, it was challenging to represent Alice Ball and speak about her to others. I was afraid of accidentally saying the wrong information. Eventually, since everyone was so kind and supportive, I was able to give the speech about her with no mistakes,” said Wheeler.
Wheeler was also happy to see Black artists getting recognition.
“I think it was amazing how so many artists who are commonly overlooked and forgotten were able to have their memory revived through their music,” said Wheeler.
What’s coming up?
During the week of March 5, a majority of juniors will be taking the SAT. This test is used globally to help leverage students' chances of getting into the college of their choice if they are planning on attending college.
Junior at HC and National Honor Society (NHS) Member Natasha Moreira is currently within the Top 10 of the Class of 2025’s rankings, and is working hard to prepare for the SAT.
“I've been practicing many different math problems and reading problems, doing a lot of Khan Academy, and reading a lot while looking into vocabulary words that I’m not familiar with. This better prepares me for the SAT and familiarizes me with words that could possibly stump me on the test,” said Moreira.
Moreira wants to help others prepare as well with tips she’s picked up to make herself successful.
“Prepare way earlier! Don't procrastinate, definitely prioritize it because it is really important. If you don’t know or you're confused on a certain subject, working with a group can help everyone to comprehend and understand. That's what I’ve also been staying after school for,” said Moreira.
Staff spotlight:
Within HC, opportunity shines bright through the Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG) program, spearheaded by the dedicated JAG Specialist Educator Elizabeth Mangan. Unfortunately this will be her last year teaching at HC, but she is diligently preparing the upcoming teacher to take her spot.
JAG, a program that empowers students by providing them with crucial skills and resources, aims to unlock each student's fullest potential and set them apart in today's competitive job market. Mangan's unwavering passion for guiding youth towards success serves as the driving force behind her commitment to teaching the ways of JAG.
“I am very passionate about helping youth find the best way to succeed in their lives after high school. Every student is different, so I work closely with each of my students individually to make a plan for what they will do upon graduation. This usually looks like attending college, enlisting in the military, pursuing a trade, or doing on-the-job training,”
To foster a supportive environment for learning and growth, Mangan emphasizes the importance of creating a sense of belonging and trust within her classroom. She instills in her students the notion that JAG is akin to a family, where mutual respect and support thrive. This credibility ensures that students feel empowered to voice their thoughts and concerns, fostering a culture of inclusivity and collaboration.
Beyond JAG, Mangan's influence extends to the volleyball court, where she serves as the assistant varsity coach for both the girls and boys teams. Students and volleyball players Catherine Haluska and Sierra Peterson are the standout students within her class who will be competing in state on March 15.
“Catherine and Sierra are two of my top JAG students. I first met them when HC first opened in August of 2021; I was their volleyball coach. I had a great relationship with both of them and told them all about my JAG program. Now, they are my students, and I am so thrilled to see them excelling in their senior years. Catherine and Sierra both placed first in our Regional JAG Career Development Conference and will be moving onto the JAG State Career Development Conference in Indianapolis on March 15,” said Mangan.
Looking to the future, Mangan envisions expanding the Hammond Central JAG program to accommodate more students, doubling its impact and reach within the school community. Her commitment to continuous improvement reflects her unwavering dedication to empowering future generations of leaders.
As students embark on their post-high school journeys, Mangan's ultimate hope is that they leave her classroom equipped with the resilience needed to thrive in the ever-evolving path of life.
“I hope that when students leave my classroom, they truly feel prepared to take on life after high school. I follow up with all of my students for one-year after high school to ensure that they are succeeding in college, the military, or the workforce. It makes me happy that my students know even though they have graduated, I am still always here for them,” said Mangan.
Student spotlight:
Junior Angelina Wheeler, a shining star at HC, not only excels academically but also actively participates in various clubs and events, leaving a mark wherever she goes.
Wheeler's extracurricular activities are as diverse as her talents. She is a member of Academic Superbowl, NHS, Student Government, Science Olympiad, and Bible Club. Within these clubs, she holds various roles, including serving as the Class of 2025’s class secretary in Student Government.
Looking toward the future, Wheeler aspires to pursue a career in aerospace engineering, aiming to contribute to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
“In the future, I hope to pursue a career in aerospace engineering. I plan on earning a master’s degree and hope to work for NASA one day. With NASA, I want to be able to make the exploration of space more efficient and ecologically friendly,” said Wheeler.
Despite the pressures of junior year, including SAT preparation and planning for the future, Wheeler maintains her persistence by staying focused on her goals and avoiding procrastination.
“I remain persistent by reminding myself of my goals. I have a mini vision board that reminds me what I’m working towards. The best way I’ve found to keep a sound mind is to not procrastinate. Work piling up will cause stress, so it’s best to do work as soon as it’s assigned,” said Wheeler.
Outside of school, Wheeler dedicates her time to playing the flute in the Northwest Indiana Symphony Youth Orchestra and indulges in her passion for historical literature through reading books about hidden events that have played a role within history.
In addition to her academic and extracurricular achievements, Wheeler recently earned a gold medal on her flute solo at the State Indiana State School Music Association contest in Indianapolis, showcasing her musical talents and dedication to excellence.