MHS Sports on Top
The past couple of weeks has been enjoyable for the Merrillville Pirates.
Seniors Jacob Covaciu and Shawn Streck became two-time state wrestling champions and Junior Mikey De La Pena placed fourth at the state competition for the second year in a row.
“The thing that helped me maintain a state title is experience,” Streck said. “Last year I won a state title so I knew the expectations I needed to have in order to maintain that.”
The Seniors finished off the season with a final win and now have to hand it off to the underclassmen.
“My advice is to push yourself every day to better yourself and team,” Covaciu said. “Don’t rest or take time off, always stay hungry and keep working. Time is limited and opportunities are small!”
Lastly, Junior Heather Osorio advanced to the state competition in gymnastics for the third year in a row. At regionals, she placed sixth in floor, fifth on beam, third on bars and fourth all-around.
“I think I made it to state three times in a row because I work really hard every season preparing for not only dual meets, but for bigger meets such as sectionals, regionals and always hopefully state,” Osorio said.
She said she also contributes her success to her team for cheering her on, her coaches for helping her strive for perfection and Mrs. Hayes, the athletic trainer because she helped her gain a positive attitude.
Freshman Mentors take charge
The Freshman Mentors knew something needed to change in order to keep the freshmen’s attention. The club sponsor, Mr. Daniel Schoon, brought the leaders together to come up with some fresh ideas.
“It’s frustrating when you’re trying to get freshmen’s attention and they are not paying attention to you when you are speaking,” Senior Ashley Ojo said. “We had to figure something out.”
This past Monday, March 7, The freshmen participated in a variety of different activities including sessions in the fieldhouse and in the classrooms.
“I know high school doesn’t have recess because in the real world it doesn’t matter,” Senior Selena Drake said. “But if you give kids an escape, it clears their minds and lets them realize that they are too young and they need to have fun because these are their glory days.”
In the classroom, the mentors talked about information that covers the work force. Since many freshmen have never had a job, the mentors thought this would be a good idea.
“Knowledge is the key to success,” Drake said. “Students should be able to learn how to get a job and what requirements they should have in any aspect of any job.”
Drake knows agrees that many of them were probably not paying attention for a chunk of the time but also agrees they will take at least one thing from this seminar.
“It’s a privilege to teach freshmen our knowledge,” Drake said. “I guarantee you they will think of us when they start a new part of life with a job, going to college or as resolving issues in everyday life.”
Teacher Spotlight: Mrs. Gail Nicolini
Mrs. Nicolini is an Honors Pre- Calculus teacher, Pre-Calculus teacher and an Algebra 2 teacher. She has worked at Merrillville High School for 16 years and previously taught at Andrean High School for 15 years.
She said that there are a lot of differences between the two schools especially one in particular.
“[Merrillville High School is] much bigger,” Mrs. Nicolini said. “I would never have thought that I would navigate around the school but now I tell everyone else where to go.
Mrs. Nicolini had the idea in her head that she was going to be a teacher for a while.
“When I was in second grade, I felt the kids around me needed help so I thought I wanted to help everybody,” Mrs. Nicolini said. “I went as far as telling my mother I was going to be a math teacher. So I became a math teacher.”
Students are able to succeed in her class because she makes relationships with students and offer tutoring and as much help as they can get.
“When I see success in students whether here in the classroom or in college or after college or even just success in life is what I love most about teaching,” Mrs. Nicolini said.
There is also the more challenging side of teaching, that she recognizes is what makes her a great teacher.
“Getting kids that aren’t motivated, motivated,” Mrs. Nicolini said. “Because sometimes they think they aren’t good at math and they start making excuses.”
Besides teaching, she always attends boys’ and girls’ basketball games, loves being with family especially her grandchildren and loves being with her friends from college.
“Hard work and perseverance pay off in the end,” Mrs. Nicolini said.
Student Spotlight: Sharod Holmes
Senior Sharod Holmes received the annual Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year Scholarship for Northwest Indiana. He has worked at the Boys and Girls Club since 2012 and attended the club since 2008.
“This is a competition so this level I receive $5,000 and now I move on to the next level,” Senior Sharod Holmes said.
In order to qualify, Holmes had to attend the Boys and Girls Club for more than two years and also be the Youth of the Year for your club. To apply, he had to give them a portfolio, his grades, a speech and three essays.
“It felt really good to win because I’ve been in the Boys and Girls Club for seven years,” Holmes said. “So when I found out, it felt great.”
There will be the state competition in Indianapolis on April 28 and 29 to compete for the chance to win more scholarship money. From there he will have the opportunity to advance to regionals and then nationals and have the chance to meet President Barrack Obama.
“I think I am a good candidate because my story is different from everyone else’s,” Holmes said. “I have been brought up in a positive background and I thank the Boys and Girls Club for that.”
Holmes said that he would be a great advocate for the Boys and Girls Club and will let the youth know they can do anything they want if they put their mind to it.
He will be attending Indiana University Bloomington, starting June 11 for the Groups Program and plans to major in business.
“I like the idea of entrepreneurship and being able to be my own boss,” Holmes said.
He is involved in STAND (Socially Together And Naturally Diverse), Student Government and many AP classes and he plans to take his success to IU with him.