#1StudentNWI: Success Found with Students and Teachers at Portage High School

#1StudentNWI: Success Found with Students and Teachers at Portage High School

Student Spotlight
Junior Kai Watkins received the opportunity of being able to spend seven weeks in Spain this summer to study Spain and Spanish culture through the Indiana University Honors Program in Foreign Language.

In order to be able to make this trip, Watkins was required to apply by taking a test which tested his abilities to speak, write and understand Spanish well.

Watkins will be leaving for Spain June 7 and will be returning home July 17. In Spain, Watkins will be attending school and spending time with a host family learning more about Spain then what is taught in a traditional classroom.

“I was super excited [when being told I had the opportunity], but now I’m kind of nervous that it’s actually happening,” Watkins said.

All juniors and seniors in a language class level three or four were given an opportunity to take a placement test for the chance to study in a foreign language.

The excitement Watkins felt was matched by his parents when he was told on Feb. 3. Now that Watkins has been accepted, he begins preparing for his trip to Spain.

“I’m getting ready to pack my suitcase, getting my medical forms, getting a passport and brushing up on my Spanish,” said Watkins. “I’m looking forward to mastering a foreign language.”

Teacher in the Spotlight
Michael DePasquale is the Director of Technology Integration at Portage Township School. Previously, DePasquale has worked with students in the music department and was a principal.

Typically, he is helping both students and staff with technology in the school, but he is going to begin working on a new project with help from students from Project Lead the Way at Fegely Middle School.

With his family’s new 3D printer, DePasquale and students will be working on creating a prosthetic hand for a student at Fegely Middle School.

“My son, who goes to school in Chesterton, had a science project where he was supposed to make a prosthetic hand with household objects,” said DePasquale. “I was hanging out in the hallway meeting the students and a young man came by and I noticed he had a hand missing all of his fingers. I spoke with one of his teachers and asked them if it would be alright to explore creating a prosthetic hand for this young man with the help of students.”

Currently, the class is waiting for materials in order to make the custom hand for the student. DePasquale is hoping they will be able to finish the prosthetic by spring break.

DePasquale is helping students learn about new technologies the typical middle school student would not get to work with and how they can use them to help not only their classmates but eventually the world.

What's Coming Up
After winning every regular season meet and so far taking home both the Sectional and Regional Title, the wrestling team is hoping to take home a Semi-State trophy on Feb. 13 at East Chicago Central.

The Indians are excited to wrestle again this weekend. Sophomore Colin Poynter is not nervous but excited for this weekend.

“I’m beyond excited,” said Poynter. “I set myself up with a good draw to go to state and I’m ready to get out there.”

Last weekend, Poynter was one of the six wrestling to be crowned as a Regional Champion along with Freshman Brock Peele, fellow

Sophomore Kasper McIntosh, Junior Ismael Cornejo and Seniors Gaige Torres and Steven Lawrence.

Poynter believes the Penn Kingsmen are the Indians biggest competition, but has no fear that the Indians will not come out on top.

“If all our guys go out and wrestle like we have been we will come out on top,” Poynter said.

Before the season had even started, the team had made a team state championship their goal. Next week, the State Championship will take place in Indianapolis and doing well at Semi-State will be the next step in getting close to achieving that goal.

“It feels like a dream come true,” said Poynter. “Ever since I was a little kid, I always went down to watch the State Finals and watch the high school wrestlers. I always dreamed of being down there on the big stage and to be so close to getting a team state title is just a dream come true.”

What's Happen ng
Every year, HOSA hosts the Prom Fashion Show which is always a favorite for both students and staff alike. Each year, juniors and seniors receive the chance to model this year’s trendiest tuxes and dresses in the auditorium for their classmates, teachers, and parents.

This year's show took place on Feb. 11 and this year approximately 70 students were models. Junior Allison Stanley wanted to participate after hearing from seniors about how much fun participating was. Like most, Stanley was nervous to walk in heels.

“I wasn’t nervous to be on stage,” said Stanley. “I kind of felt like a baby giraffe trying to stand up.”

Students involved in the HOSA program met every Thursday with their sponsor and teacher Lynn Wilson to plan the event. The event took weeks to plan and required a lot of help from Wilson, Junior HOSA student Jordan Hansen says the event was fun for everyone.

“Doing the fashion show, you meet and spend time with a lot of people you otherwise wouldn’t talk to,” Hansen said.

Stanley enjoyed the fashion show because it let her see what prom styles looked good, have a first look at what this season's trends will be and mostly have fun. Stanley had fun and recommends the show for next year’s juniors and seniors.

“Just have fun with it,” said Stanley. “It’s not actual prom, so get on stage and goof off. It made me feel a lot more confident about myself and got me more excited for my prom night.”