WHAT’S COMING UP? — Decathlon State
The U.S. Academic Decathlon is a fantastic high school extracurricular. After starting practice in late May, Andrean’s team prepares all year for the final competition in mid-February.
Successful competitors must have the mental capacity and determination to take seven subject tests, ace an interview, deliver two compelling speeches, and write a convincing essay. On top of regular classes, this is tall order for any high schooler, but Andrean’s Academic Decathlon team is up for the challenge. After placing first at the area meet, Andrean’s Academic Decathlon team will participate in the state competition. Fittingly, the 59ers were able to bring home a total of 59 medals.
As of the area competition, Andrean’s scores were the second best in the state. While the team still has some preparation to do before the state meet, they have high hopes for the competition.
“Minus a couple interviews, minus a couple speeches, I think we felt comfortable at the area meet, so hopefully we can cycle that into the state competition,” said coach Marjorie Brewer.
The Niners compete at the state meet on February 9-10 at Purdue University in West Lafayette.
WHAT’S HAPPENING? — Catholic Schools Week
Anyone who has ever attended Andrean will likely have fond memories of Catholic Schools Week, an annual celebration held in late January dedicated to Catholic education in the United States. Andrean student Elizabeth Cooley (12) has attended Catholic school since kindergarten and has participated in countless Catholic Schools Week events.
“I think the main reason we celebrate it is because it's important to celebrate and appreciate the fact that God is at the center of everything we do,” Cooley said.
Even though the students do enjoy themed dress-down days and other morale-boosting activities, Catholic Schools Week is more than just another school spirit celebration. The most notable event of the week was by far Andrean’s annual Mass with Bishop Hying, which was attended by several Catholic grade schools across Northwest Indiana.
During theology classes, students were also able to attend presentations from various speakers, including several priests, nuns, and servicemen.
“While a lot of [the week] is getting to appreciate the benefits of a Catholic education, there's a lot of time for reflection over what can be done to make our schools even better in the future, too,” Cooley said.
Even though this week’s celebrations have drawn to a close, hopefully the positive attitude of the week will continue throughout the rest of the year.
TEACHER SPOTLIGHT — Mr. Tyler Sherwood
Theatre has always been a part of Mr. Tyler Sherwood’s life. In high school, Sherwood participated in the theatre program, and he continued his passion in college by earning a bachelor’s degree in theatre education from Ball State University. Sherwood first had the desire to teach high school back when he was a student himself tutoring his peers in mathematics.
“Originally I wanted to teach math and theatre but soon found that theatre is where my true passion lied,” he said.
Sherwood is excited to see his students grow in the classroom, in the theatre, and in life. As a role model, he looks up to fictional teacher Remus Lupin from the Harry Potter franchise.
“I think he was my biggest fictional inspiration to become a teacher,” Sherwood said. “He is a wonderful teacher because he recognizes the potential within each student, big or small, and helps them to tap into it and grow more confident in their abilities.”
Sherwood began teaching theatre arts, theatre production, and speech this year at Andrean.
Sherwood also took over the Andrean Theatre Company last fall. Since then, he has worked with the student thespians on two plays: the thespian show, Death of a Salesman and the student-directed winter play, A Christmas Carol. Under Sherwood’s guidance, the thespian troupe received a perfect score for their performance of Death of a Salesman at the regional conference in November. Currently, Sherwood is focusing on the theatre company’s upcoming musical, Mary Poppins, which will hit the stage in April.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT — Senior Meredith Osmulski
Most high school students don’t make time in their busy schedules for volunteering. After fulfilling their required hours, most teenagers return to sports or band or whatever other extracurriculars they spend time on. This isn’t the case for Meredith Osmulski, an Andrean senior who goes above and beyond when it comes to community service.
Volunteering was always a part of Osmulski’s life, but the teen more actively involved during her junior year, under the guidance of her theology teacher, Mrs. Adela Bonta.
“[Mrs. Bonta] recognized the passion I have in my heart for service and pushed me to pursue those goals,” Osmulski said.
Since then, she has been an extremely active member of Andrean’s various service organizations, including YARC, National Honor Society, and Interact Club.
Over the past year, Osmulski has been a key member of numerous service projects at Andrean, including volunteering at St. Monica and Luke’s Food Pantry, helping support two Catholic schools affected by Hurricane Harvey, and tutoring at Longfellow Elementary school. Osmulski’s favorite project at Andrean so far was a service retreat to help the homeless in Chicago.
“The service trip was by far my favorite thing I have done here at Andrean because it is what has helped spark my love of helping others,” she said. “It was the first time I had ever been given the opportunity to directly get to know the people that I was helping.”
Osmulski hasn’t decided where she will attend college next year, but she plans to continue her community service no matter where she ends up.
“I find my deepest connection with myself, others, and God when I am volunteering,” she said.
Osmulski plans to go into the medical field, where she hopes to make healthcare affordable for those living in underserved, urban areas. For now, Osmulski will focus on finishing out her final semester of high school, though she still has a few service projects in mind to complete before graduation.