The month of December was a busy one for the Niners. With final exams right before break, most students spent some time preparing for the end of the semester. However, with Christmas fast approaching, the student body also took the time to give back to the community. YARC Club hosted its annual Christmas party for disabled children and adults, Interact Club wrote Christmas letters to soldiers, and the senior class visited two nursing homes to celebrate the holiday season.
The Theatre Company also performed A Christmas Carol, a very appropriate play for the Christmas season. Joey Prasco took on the lead role of Scrooge, giving the character a more comedic demeanor.
What’s Coming Up – Returning to School
The Niners started their Christmas Break on December 22 and will return to school on Tuesday, Jan. 9. Andrean finished up its first semester finals right before the 18-day break, giving students a much needed respite from their studies.
In sports news, basketball season has begun. Both the girls and boys teams have had successful starts to their seasons. The boys team has a current record of 7-2. The team just recently won the Highland Holiday Hoopfest. Both teams have several home games left in their season.
Second semester has many things in store for the Niners. Most notably, the school will celebrate Catholic Schools Week at the end of January.
Teacher Feature – Mr. Jaycob Knazur
When Jaycob Knazur graduated from Andrean in 2005, he had no idea that he would be returning to the school not as a student but as a teacher. In his time at Andrean, Knazur has taught a wide variety of social studies courses, with his personal favorite being Honors U.S. History.
However, when he first went off to college at Valparaiso University, Knazur had no intention of becoming a teacher at all.
“I had intention of going to law school and/or heading off to Washington DC to work for the government in some capacity,” Knazur said.
However, when the time came, Knazur decided not to go to law school but instead to pursue a Master’s in history in order to stay closer to his family.
“After I completed [my Master’s degree], teaching seemed like the most optimal next step,” he said. As a high school student, Knazur took his studies seriously while still being a teenager.
“Like many, I procrastinated mercilessly and applied myself when I felt it was necessary,” he said. Knazur wishes that he would have taken more risks back in high school.
“Don’t worry how others will react,” he said. “Try, fail, try something else, succeed.”
This year, Knazur’s role at Andrean has changed. Instead of only teaching, Knazur is now also the Dean of Students.
“I was offered the position at the end of last year. I am grateful to Dr. Bonta and others for allowing me to have an opportunity to serve Andrean,” he said.
Even with his new duties, Knazur is happy to still teach his favorite course, Honors U.S. History. Knazur deeply cares about the students he teaches. One of his favorite aspects of being Dean is that he is more involved in the ongoings of student life than before. He has always had a more personal connection with the student body, possibly due to his alumni status, but with his new title as the Dean, his role has changed.
“I’m more present and involved with a wider sampling of students,” Knazur said. “As one mentor stated, ‘your classroom has grown beyond the four walls of Room 110.’”
Student Feature – Nadia Hartman
Senior Nadia Hartman is an artist, formal princess, and future Belle. After being heavily involved in the art program throughout high school, Hartman has decided to pursue an art major at St. Mary’s College in South Bend.
Hartman has always had a passion for art. Her favorite teacher at Andrean is Mr. Sammy Listro, the head of the art department.
“He's always pushing me to do my best in his art classes and always eager to help me in learning about my future possibilities,” she said.
Hartman currently plans to become an art therapist or an art professor at a college. Both of these professions would combine her love of art with her desire to work with people.
Throughout her time at Andrean, Hartman has been involved in many activities from French club to soccer to art club. She was even elected formal princess during her junior year. However, the one that has influenced her the most has been her involvement in Andrean’s Theatre Company. Hartman has played a variety of roles, her most recent being “the woman” in Death of a Salesman. Her favorite part of theatre is the people who she was able to meet through the program.
After having four older siblings go through the school, Hartman was no stranger to the Andrean Family. In such a small school, most people know each other, creating an extremely supportive environment.
“I love Andrean and no matter where my life path may lead, I know that I will always have the Andrean family in my heart,” she said.