#1StudentNWI: Spooky season at East Chicago

#1StudentNWI: Spooky season at East Chicago

What's recently happened?

Halloween season is here at East Chicago (EC) Central High School. Some would say it's pumpkin spice season, but it all depends on the type of Halloween person you are.

With the days getting colder, it’s important to be spending time with family and friends trick-or-treating, baking cookies, or having a horror movie marathon.

Pumpkin spice season is coming to an end, so coffee lovers should be sure to enjoy it while it lasts.

During lunch hour, Katrina Alexander urged 18-year-olds to register to vote for the Rise Northwest Indiana, the League of Women Voters, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Gary Alumnae Chapter in the upcoming election on November 8.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness (BCA) month. The senior class will sell pink BCA shirts and donate part of the proceeds to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Short sleeve shirts are $13, and long sleeve shirts are $16. Larger sizes will have a slight upcharge. Shirts are available to purchase online at the link here.

To help promote Hispanic Heritage month, purchase one of EC Spanish Clubs T-shirts. The Lotería design makes for a perfect gift.

The Girls Soccer team is selling fleece jackets perfect for these incoming windy and cold days.

This month there have been many fundraisers and events for EC students to participate in.

The school has hired ASA Entertainment to come out and talk about bullying. ASA Entertainment has a long history of advocacy, innovation, and success as a leader in the action sports industry. It specializes in creating and executing customized events featuring skateboarding, BMX, freestyle motocross, snowboarding, freeskiing, inline skating, surfing, and music.

Many people enjoyed the show and said it was the best bullying assembly they have ever seen. The show included doing tricks on students and staff and giving away t-shirts to students who participated and answered questions. Additionally, everyone has been given a chance to win $500.

The Marines also came out to promote their business and give away prizes depending on how many pull-ups you could complete. One student even reached 21 pull-ups.

EC students were recently given the opportunity to send a soda and a personalized letter to a crush or someone they like. It could have been a teacher, staff member, or student. 

Most sophomores and juniors participated in the PSAT on Tuesday, October 25. The PSAT was an opportunity for students to show their skills in reading, writing, and math. It identifies areas of strength and areas that need improvement.

What’s coming up?

The grades challenge ends on January 3, so hopefully all students have been doing great in class.

There will be a fall dance on October 29 from 6 p.m.-10 p.m., so students should hurry to ask someone while there is still time left Single tickets are $15, and couple tickets are $25. The dance will be held in the EC central gymnasium. The school asks that students dress up. A huge thanks to the class of 2023 and 2024 for sponsoring the dance.

Staff spotlight:

Russell Thompson teaches Algebra 2 Honors, Precalculus, AP Calculus, and College Entrance Prep. He’s been teaching at EC for some time now.

He graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and Valparaiso University with a master’s of Education.

He worked at United States Steel Corporation as an Electrical/Mechanical/Systems Maintenance Manager, but he soon realized he wanted a more fulfilling position, so he decided to become a teacher.

”I've always enjoyed sharing information and helping people learn. During my junior year of college, I decided I wanted to eventually give teaching a try,” said Thompson.

He is an amazing teacher and always seems to come up with corny math jokes that the students enjoy.

“I've enjoyed my experience at EC Central. I love the family environment and how my students and coworkers make me feel great whenever I walk into the school. I love the creativity and the talent that's here, and I'm proud to be a Cardinal,” Thompson said.

Student Spotlight: 

Though Junior Terry Smith may seem like a class clown, he gets his work done. He has a mother, father, and a little sister that he adores dearly. He has been in EC school district for six years and can’t wait for his senior year next year. He loves his best friend, Jose, and his favorite teacher is Elizabeth Rivera.