What’s recently happened?
With the season of love upon us, Chesterton High School (CHS) has taken to celebrating Valentine’s Day with Sour Punch Straws donated by local company Sour Punch. The Student Government prepared notes to pass out alongside the treats during each lunch period for every student.
“Sour Patch has been in our family forever, and I thought it would be a nice treat to bring Valentine’s Day candy to the school so everyone can feel like they can have a valentine,” Senior Bella Walsh said, whose father owns Sour Punch.
Students could be seen throughout the day sharing gifts with their friends and significant others, expressing their appreciation. Similarly, the school newspaper team “The Sandscript” wanted to also translate its gratitude for others in class through sharing snacks.
“Holiday parties are a great way to keep your class invested in the enjoyable parts of journalism, which is the ability to get things done quickly and efficiently so you have time to do fun things such as parties. Our staff was able to produce a great deal of content in the past couple weeks, so let's celebrate that success while also acknowledging the holiday,” “Sandscript” Director Jacob Lukach said.
Although “The Sandscript” has worked tirelessly throughout the year to produce quality content for the school paper, the students on staff joined together to share food such as chocolates, Little Debbie Valentine Cakes, and a variety of chips with one another as they worked on articles and celebrated each other's successes.
“For the Valentine’s party, everyone brought in snacks, and I brought in soft pretzels that my mom made fresh this morning, and now we have the chance to enjoy our time together,” Junior Lyla Surane said.
Despite the romantic overtones of the holiday, Valentine’s Day can be a wonderful day where friends and classmates spend time together in appreciation for the work and generosity of others.
What’s coming up?
In March, CHS students will be participating in the German American Partnership Program (GAPP) with students from the Schyren Gymnasium. The German students will arrive before spring break and will stay for about three weeks. This exchange allows students to experience daily life in a different country, as well as an unfamiliar school system and seeks to deepen the relationship between both countries.
“I'm very excited to be able to take part in this program to not only leave the country for the first time but to make new friends and experience a culture I'm not really used to,” Junior Destiny Williams-Najzer said.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the exchange was postponed for four years.
“I am very excited for this year's exchange. We found our footing again after the pandemic, but I'm happy to be developing our program's momentum again. It's back to being a regular activity that students and their families can look forward to,” German Teacher Justin Martinson said.
The students also have the opportunity to spend time together hiking at the Dunes, bowling, and exploring Chicago while learning more about each other and each other’s cultures.
“Another highlight of their visit is Bavarian Evening. On this night, the Germans cook traditional foods from their state in Germany, Bavaria, then share the history and culture of their region after dinner,” German Teacher Cary Knauff said.
CHS warmly awaits the exchange’s genesis.
Staff spotlight
After retiring from the military, Dr. Blake Soller has decided to come and teach at his former high school.
“I graduated from CHS and joined the military at 18. I retired after 21 years and did so many different things in the military. For 20 years, I was a military work dog trainer, and then the last four years I worked for NCIS doing program evaluations. That’s what led me to my doctorate; I enjoy evaluating and seeing the result of what people are learning,” Soller said.
Soller attended Tiffin University where he studied the humanities with a focus on English literature. He then attended Capella University where he earned his doctorate in education and learned about curriculum building and instruction and assessment.
Prior to coming to CHS, Soller taught Professional Writing and Research at Valparaiso University. Additionally, he taught a professional writing course at the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS).
“At NCIS I was the lead Assessment and Evaluation Specialist for the Department of Defense’s Military Working Dog program. That program was the sole evaluation entity for 25 police precincts on the East Coast, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. My responsibilities were to teach dog trainers how to refine search techniques, collect and analyze assessment data, and create post-assessment strategic planning corrective actions to mitigate loss,” Soller said.
This is Soller’s second year as a staff member at CHS. Last year, he worked as a graduation coach and this year he returned as a teacher where he teaches World Literature II, Advanced Composition, and English 9.
Outside of school, Soller loves to spend time with his wife of 16 years, and his children, play guitar, and travel.
Soller has spent time all over the world- having lived in Maine, Guam, Cuba, California, and Virginia, while also having traveled extensively throughout the Middle East, he has come to understand and appreciate other cultures, impacting his favored literary pieces.
“My favorite books are Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles and Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. The Sheltering Sky gives us an unbiased view of Tangier, Africa, and that region post-World War II, and it talks about that culture at that time. On the flip side, you have Heart of Darkness by Conrad and he is more focused on colonization, but it’s more a personal experience of colonization. Both stories have this journey in them, they both start at one place and they move towards something,” Soller said.
Students are also on a journey of discovery, and in high school, they feel pressured to have life figured out, but Soller provides reassuring advice.
“No one has it figured out. We are all flailing, uncertain, anxious about the future, or uncertain of where life will lead us. The most important thing is to not allow yourself to be tricked into thinking someone else's life is perfect. It's not! Play your own game and have as much fun as you can in the process while still accomplishing your goals,” Soller said.
Student Spotlight
Junior Gwen Lester is not only a person who is always willing to lend a helping hand, but someone who also brightens the hallways with her infectious smile.
As someone who loves drawing, Lester enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) Art History, which happens to be her favorite class this year. Lester enjoys the structure of class, and although it remains the same, her teacher Adam Schultz incorporates fun into his lectures, which helps students’ artistic passions flourish.
“I love AP Art History with Mr. Schultz! He is one of my favorite teachers, and that class is my most enjoyable by far,” Lester said.
Besides her enthusiasm for art, Lester is also a member of the Family Theater Productions at CHS. Currently, she is preparing for the upcoming performances of “Puss ‘n Boots A Tale of Tail: A Comedy” where she acts as one of the narrator's cats.
“Family Theater is the best thing to have happened to me in my high school career. As an actor with a special role off-stage to support my cast and crew I am in love with the community we have fostered over the years,” Lester said.
Lester also participates in CHS’s Pokémon Club where she can hang out with others each week.
“I helped my friend start Pokémon Club so the organization will always hold a special place in my heart, as Pokémon is such an intense interest of mine, and being able to share that with others is so exciting every Monday,” Lester said.
Throughout high school, Lester is most proud of being the new cast morale for the Family Theater Production, exploring her abilities in photography, and being chosen for the Natural Helpers Retreat.
In theater, a senior bequeaths the responsibilities of cast morale to a student they see fit. The role of cast morale is similar to glue- the student encourages others, runs vocal warm-ups, and hypes up the group.
“I am the predominant supporter of everyone, and my goal is to get my cast and crew to the best place they can be in preparation for our show dates,” Lester said.
Lester is a sincere and bubbly student who motivates others with her personality.