Student Spotlight
For the month of April there will not be just one student in the spotlight, but a class of students. The students of “The Blueprint” class, which is taught by Mr. Foor, is a class that gives high school students the resources and drive to excel after high school. It is a huge transition to be going into college, and it is very impactful to have a class dedicated to pushing you and making sure students are on track to be as successful as their potential. HHS does not have many resources to insure that every student has done what is needed to be completed in the steps to reaching college, the environment in the class is reassuring and informative. “The Blueprint” class has set a platform for more success to leave from HHS.
What's happening
You walk in the doors in mid-summer and you are finally a freshman. You have created all these plans and you look forward to the person you see yourself being in the next three years. Hammond High is known for many successful alumni and for the past month each day an alumni has come in and spoke of their journey to the Wildcats. It was very insightful to hear and see those who have walked the halls of HHS and rose above the stigma that is always being put on those that attend and graduate from the school.
Aside from the great stories and advice received, the Girls Softball won their first game and the Tennis team will be one week shy away from their very first matches. There is no more room to cram, for graduation will soon be a reality. The seniors have taken their photos and will be preparing for prom and other Senior activities.
What’s coming up
In the next week the some of the Wildcats have been selected to attend a pep rally for the S.A.V.E program, a movement for students across NWI to get involved in taking a stand to end violence. The upcoming schedule also features more senior activities, and Thursday of April 7th will be HHS's Annual McTeacher's night, where teachers work to raise money for the school. It is a little gathering with lots of fun. As for those events, there will be more to come, as the Wildcats are always moving forward to display the "Wildcat Way" in every way possible. Big strides will come from the school to continue to show the positive influence that leaves these halls.
Teacher Spotlight
This year HHS has accepted a new spanish teacher, Mrs. Shana Chelich. Before becoming a teacher, she used to work at the Hammond Public Library in the circulation Department. She said, "As downtown Hammond is home to many Latino residents, I frequently interacted with Spanish-speaking people there, and over time I slowly acquired the language. At the same time, I was taking Spanish classes at Purdue University Calumet, but I wasn’t quite sure about the direction in which my education was going."
She continued, "As I became more proficient in Spanish, I befriended many people whom I would otherwise not have had the chance to know. I then realized how knowing a second language could break down barriers and create meaningful relationships.”
Then she spoke about her voyage to determine her route in education. “My desire to become a teacher was rooted in my experience working at Hammond Public Library, but I was also influenced by my professors at Purdue Calumet. They helped me to develop a strong appreciation for Spanish and Latino literature, art and culture. My teachers encouraged me to further my studies and to share my knowledge with others.”
Lastly she ends with her stop to HHS, “Now I teach Spanish at Hammond High School, which has been a very rewarding experience for me. Students at HHS come from diverse backgrounds and many of them face challenging situations outside of school. My goal as a teacher is to help my students overcome these obstacles while being available to them both as a mentor and teacher. The administration and staff here are very supportive and and are always there for me when I need them. I am proud to call myself a Wildcat!” Becoming a new teacher is not always easy, especially when you are a foreign language teacher, I feel you have to connect with the students in a different way to boost their confidence in developing a new language. But Mrs. Chelich has done her job correctly, the environment in her class is comfortable. There is no fear of speaking in unfamiliar language. In my opinion Mrs. Chelich has boosted HHS’ educational environment in a very positive way.