Giving and Receiving
As the days get shorter and the holiday season approaches, Munster High School students and faculty prepare for a time of giving to both the community and one another. Through the month of November, Student Government has been diligent in organizing its annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. Students have donated hundreds of canned goods for the less fortunate this season.
Taking a more musical turn, Munster Band took home their fourth place, record breaking spot at state, and teachers rushed to help raise money in hopes of new spirit wear for the prosperous group. Students have consistently nominated a Teacher of the Month to help recognize all the hard work the staff puts into making their kids successful. Clubs all across the school have organized an abundance of activities for students of all interests. Munster High School has made it a goal to promote an acceptance behind its walls, and the positivity has yet to cease for the season.
An Upcoming Willingness
In the coming month, football coach Leroy Marsh and his eager team will be running their annual toy drive. Children this holiday season will be able to receive a gift from Munster’s very own students. Other preparations include Munster Theatre company's annual tree lighting where the theatre students may take time out of their day to gather and decorate the auditorium lobby. This has been a tradition started years back to promote a coming together of the students involved, and has proven to be a safe place to continue a spread of optimism.
Munster’s top choir, the Chorale, will begin their own construction for the season learning over thirty carols and Christmas classics to perform at holiday events. Over the years, Chorale has made a positive impact on the community, leaving them with over twenty different holiday performances for centers all around town. Munster’s GSA club has made a strong effort to schedule Tuesday Movie Nights for its members.
“The movie nights are a time where people of all orientations get to come together safely and have fun,” GSA President Kayla Prowell comments, delighted to have such a club under her watch.
The future looks bright for the students of Munster High, and the ability to be accepted behind the school's wall is only the beginning.
Student Spotlight
“The atmosphere is one of the friendliest I have ever been apart of,” said August Caroll, Freshman, commenting on his joining of Munster's GSA (Gay Straight Alliance) club.
GSA has grown exponentially over the past few years. Its members include teens of all sexualities, and with staff support, the members are granted the opportunity to grow together. The transition into high school is tough enough, though for a transgender teen, entering new surroundings can be one of the scariest scenarios.
“When my parents found out I was transgender,” August starts, “they wouldn't even allow me to leave the house. Actually, the first day of school was the first time I had been allowed outside without some sort of supervision.”
August generously shared the uneasiness of his home situation. However, he spoke the following about Munster High School with a smile on his face: “In the coming weeks at school, I would find myself migrating towards lovely and accepting people that have done so much for me.”
The safe atmosphere the walls of Munster High School offered for August during a sensitive time of self discovery forever remain with him.
“GSA is such an important resource for queer students,” August concludes, proud of his decision to join the organization. “I am incredibly grateful that Munster provides an environment where I don’t feel scared or trapped.”
This upcoming week, August will be moving from his home in Munster. However, that does not conclude is journey. He leaves the accepting atmosphere with a new outlook on life, and is proud to have been part of such a welcoming community.
Teacher Spotlight
The staff of Munster High School is truly the brains behind the school's environment. In a quiet hall in the south wing, teacher Brent Barton oversees the special education sector of the school. Additionally, he is pleased to run the schools Best Buddies club.
Best Buddies is a program open to any students willing to help teach, bond, and enjoy activities with students who have intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD).
“The students within this organization learn so much,” Mr. Barton explained. He has been teaching for over twenty years and is excited to see the program continue flourishing. “The reason I got into teaching was to have a positive impact on lives. Anyone who is willing to looks past “differences” is going to gain so much.”
Best Buddies has been advocating the abilities in all people and reminds students not to be so quick to judge.
“The most important thing is to educate and inform,” Mr, Barton concluded. “Being apart of Best Buddies has made me a better person. I have gained so much of a better understanding of students with IDD and teenagers in general.”
With an open minded outlook on the school, Best Buddies has allowed students of all interests to have a clearer view of their peers and what makes them just as unique.