Light into African culture
In recognition of Black History Month, student government decided to have a door competition involving every teacher’s 4th hour class. Each class was allowed to use extra space around their door if they had any and were given three weeks to achieve their final look.
The winners were chosen based on a tally vote from teachers and staff and were given a pizza party for having the best decoration. Students came up with a variety of ideas from lights, flags, 3D hair, and more. It was a marvelous turn out and the students were very excited to hear the winners.
The art department got creative and hung posters of African American people who had significant accomplishments in their life. The pictures were very interesting and fun to look at and many people enjoyed seeing them.
In addition to the fun of door decorating, the junior class put on a fundraiser for Valentine's Day. This consisted of students purchasing 50 cent suckers for their friends or significant others and leaving cute little messages for them.
Another thing Hammond High achieved was a successful senior night for the Boys Basketball team and cheerleaders. Although they were not able to bring home a win for their last home game they didn't let that take away from the positivity of senior night.
Lastly, one teacher decided to take Black History Month to the next step by having daily bell ringers where students learned about African Americans that many people don’t know about and how they had a role in history. This was a great way to show some students that their history mattered and that they had significant leaders as well.
Next Move
The next thing Hammond High will be diving into is the Talent Show and Black History program. There will be an opening for the community to see a preview of the Talent Show and the entire Black History program. Then, there will be a performance for students who paid for a ticket. The choir will be hosting the Black History program and students who auditioned to perform will be in the Talent Show. There will be rapping, singing duets, dances, piano playing, and students playing the flute. Many students are looking forward to this event and hopefully it will have a good turn out.
There will also be a Pep Rally for the school that will feature 92.3 and be run by student government. The date has not been set but it is said to happen after the boys go off to sectionals.
This is also the month when Natural Helpers leave for their trip with a group of students. Each student's life will change for the better after such a great trip. Then students will be looking forward to spring break and going on trips with their families. Hopefully everyone stays safe but it will be a well needed break for all students and staff.
Teacher Spotlight
Everyone has a teacher who wants to help students who might not have the same starting point in the race of life. Larry Keilman is the type of teacher many might not enjoy every day but thanks in the long run for all the knowledge he helped them gain.
Keilman is a longtime teacher at Hammond High and runs what is called the JAG program. In this program he helps students learn how to write resumes, understand finances, what to wear to certain events, and many more life skills. He also organizes student field trips in which they experience different fields of work. He also takes them to places where they are able to obtain jobs.
The things he does for the students are amazing because he’s always looking for the next step in helping students be able to survive in the real world. For example he has formed a group of students to serve as representatives of everybody in all his JAG classes. Then he brainstorms with them in what students want to learn more about and things that can help build their resume. Something Keilman is actually trying to do is get his JAG students more opportunities to go out and get community service.
The work he does for his students is so amazing that it never stops even after they leave for school. Keilman often works during the summer getting together checks for his students who meet certain requirements such as having 80% or higher attendance. He also checks on his former students that have left to go to college or stayed to work a job and even finds ways they are able to get paid for the things they are doing. How much time he puts into all the paperwork whos amazing dedication for his students.
The work of this man doesn’t stop there, though. He also reaches out to his students by helping them see select colleges they might want to attend and give them the opportunity to see that campus. He’s a man that can’t be forgotten and will always be remembered for his outstanding work.