What’s Happening:
Winter sports are winding down for the season, and the Griffith High School bowling team was just one of the teams representing their town at sectionals, regionals, semi-state, and state tournaments. Seniors Garrett Zambo, John Lawson, and John Thomas, juniors Jake Collins and Chris Albanese, and freshman Nathan Ward attended the state tournament, representing GHS. The boys were regional and semi-state champions, and ended up placing sixth at the state tournament. They ended their season with a 12-0 record, and were conference champs. Ward placed twelfth in the state for individual boys.
Freshman Morgan Schoon from the girls team made it to the state tournament where she placed ninth in the state for high school girls. The girls team ended 8-4. The girls unfortunately didn’t make it out of sectionals.
“As a freshman, placing top 10 in the state felt amazing. I was really nervous going out there and showing others the potential of a freshman making it this far,” said Schoon. “For the next three years, I plan on making it to state each year and maybe even bringing that state title home!”
The boys basketball team has a current overall record of 12-8, and have a conference record of 4-3. The team lost many seniors last year, and is rebuilding its varsity with many underclassmen and juniors, who are stepping up and improving quickly. Junior Tim Lawson was one of the two sophomores on varsity last year, and has been stepping up as an upperclassman.
“It was challenging at first because we didn’t have the experience on varsity besides Jake Dye,” said Lawson, “I showed my confidence I had in the younger players, and it helped them gain confidence.”
Teacher Spotlight:
Carl Dunlap has been teaching English at GHS for three years now, and has taught regular and honors English for grades 9-11. This is his sixth year teaching full time, and he previously taught at Eggers Middle School in Hammond and was a substitute teacher for the School City of Hammond.
He attended East Chicago Central High School where he graduated as valedictorian in 2006. Dunlap attended Purdue University in West Lafayette, where he originally intended to major in Computer Technology. He enjoys writing and appreciates literature, so he decided to pursue teaching. This field allows him to thrive in both of those categories, and Dunlap ended up graduating from Purdue in 2011 with a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary English Education.
Dunlap enjoys working and interacting with hundreds of students. This allows him to learn about their unique backgrounds, strengths, and opinions, and share a part of himself with them.
“Teaching is more than just a 9-to-5 gig,” said Dunlap, “No one gets into this profession for glory, and certainly not money. Every one of us working at Griffith High School has an innate desire to help our students, as well as our community, reach their full potential. As I always tell my students, 'It’s got to be in you, not on you!' I greatly enjoy working and teaching in Griffith. I am happy that I have the opportunity to be a part of this community’s progress.”
Student Spotlight:
On March 4, GHS senior Matthew Thomas will be jumping into freezing Lake Michigan waters for the 18th annual Chicago Polar Plunge at North Avenue Beach. Thomas, along with others from his team, #PantherPops, will be running and diving into 40 degree water. This event is to raise awareness and money for the Special Olympics. Thomas is raising money and dedicating his plunge to school nurse Jen Kocon’s daughter, Jessica, who was born with down syndrome. He had a fundraising goal of $300, but has already passed that amount, and is now aiming for $1000. He plans so surpass that and continue to increase his goal.
Thomas decided to join this event after seeing it at the Hot Chocolate 5K that he ran in December in Chicago.
“I saw what the Polar Plunge was for and I immediately thought of Nurse Jen’s daughter, Jessica,” said Thomas.
Thomas is also a member of the varsity boys swim team, varsity track, and varsity cross country. The Polar Plunge proceeds will benefit over 7,000 athletes, and so far they have raised a combined amount of over $325,000. Thomas has raised over $800, and donations can be made on the Polar Plunge website under the #PantherPops team page.
What’s Coming Up:
On February 23, Griffith schools will be hosting their 27th annual spaghetti dinner for the public from 4:30-7:00. The dinner is hosted every year on a Friday night before a basketball game. That night, the Panthers will take on East Chicago, with JV starting at 5:30 , and varsity starting at 7. At the dinner, chorale, the elite high school singing group, will be performing. Thespians who performed at the drama state conference will be showcasing their individual events, and solos and groups from band will also be performing pieces.
The science department will be hosting their third annual World’s Greatest Scientist competition at the dinner. Students will have the opportunity to research and conduct science experiments on their own, and present them at the dinner to teachers and the public. They will then be judged, and a winner will be announced the following Monday.
The dinner will include a choice of spaghetti or pizza, with salad, bread, dessert, and a drink. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, and $3 for children, elementary age and under.