What’s recently happened?
Lowell High School (LHS) recently had quite a few snow days with the sudden blast of winter weather. This made for a later start to the second semester and a slightly longer winter break.
Additionally, LHS hosted its third annual elective fair on January 11 to kickstart the scheduling process for the upcoming school year.
The elective fair is a one to two hour event during advisory that has two different parts. With the unprecedented snow, this event occurred on a two-hour delay day.
The event began in the auditorium with a counselor detailing all of the graduation requirements as well as what each student should have completed at the end of each year at LHS. Being that each grade has to focus on different areas, the presentations were slightly different for each group.
Along with the presentations, many teachers, with the help of seniors currently in their classes, set up tables throughout the school and provided information about their class as well as a helpful paper. Thus, for the second half of the event, students walked around the fieldhouse looking at all the electives and Pathway courses available.
There was also an Ivy Tech Community College representative who had a table and detailed some information regarding graduating high school with the first year of college completed. He also provided information on taking more dual credit classes and college courses while in high school.
The main goal of this event is to make the LHS student body aware of all the classes being offered to them so that they know how the courses coincide with their goals after high school. This ensures that students make educated decisions when making their schedule for next year.
What’s coming up?
The LHS Student Council is preparing for Turnabout, also known as Winter Formal. This dance is set to take place on Saturday, February 10 in the LHS cafeteria.
This year, the theme is “Northern Lights,” which was chosen by the members of the Student Council.
As always, there will be lively decorations corresponding to the theme. With this year’s theme, students can expect a multitude of lights and colorful decor to represent the Northern Lights.
There will also be concessions, which will be selling water and other snacks and beverages.
Additionally, there will be a DJ who will play music throughout the event and also display an array of lights to go with the theme.
The cost of the tickets for this dance is $20, and students are encouraged, but not required, to wear attire that matches the theme.
All dances are carefully planned by Student Council members, and they ensure that every dance is memorable for everyone attending.
As the second semester continues, counselors are going to begin meeting with students to finalize how they want their schedules for next year to look.
Students of all grades get the opportunity to speak with their counselors and discuss which courses benefit them the greatest. This is beginning on the week of January 22 with the incoming seniors, and the weeks after will be for the underclassmen.
Staff spotlight:
Jennifer Wathen has been the school nurse at LHS for the past two years.
Wathen grew up in Dyer, Indiana, but moved around the Lake County area several times. She attended her junior and senior high school years in Springboro, Ohio, but ultimately moved back after graduation.
She began her career as a healthcare worker as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) for two to three years before returning to college and completing her registered nurse (RN) training.
“I graduated from Ivy Tech Community College in Gary. All of my clinical studies were done in inner-city settings, so I feel that I was able to service a vulnerable population, even as a nursing student,” said Wathen.
Growing up, she always thought that she would be a physician, but something that altered her outlook on life changed her mind. When Wathen was 14, she became very ill and was in septic shock, which was an almost fatal experience.
“It was a nurse named Jennifer who changed my mind that I wanted to be a nurse. She was so kind and understanding to me, a much different experience than I had with the doctors there, and I decided I wanted people to feel better, not just to ‘cure’ them. At 16, my dad married my mother, who is also a nurse. She became a huge mentor for me later in my career,” said Wathen.
She believes that every aspect of nursing is important and meaningful. That being said, she is most proud of her ability to adapt to situations and that she can explain things to people in a way they will understand.
“I hope when I retire that I can feel like I've had an impact on people,” said Wathen.
Much of her love for nursing also comes from her love of speaking to people and getting to know their stories. She feels privileged that her patients trust her with their deepest secrets because they know she will never judge them and still care for them. Wathen provides a safe space for the students at LHS.
Outside of nursing, she loves doing activities that stimulate creativity like sketching, painting, and doodling. She also heavily enjoys spending time in the woods hiking and enjoying nature.
Student spotlight:
Kristen Kiszenia is a current senior at LHS who takes great pride in her excellent grade point average (GPA) and her position on the LHS varsity tennis team.
“My biggest accomplishment has been achieving my high GPA and being a part of the girl's varsity tennis team,” said Kiszenia.
She contributes to the LHS community by being a member of a multitude of clubs and extracurriculars. Kiszenia is a part of the school’s tennis team as a varsity doubles player.
Additionally, she is in the Student Council and National Honors Society as well as a part of the Red Devil Mentor Program as a peer mentor.
Outside of school, she volunteers to help Lowell’s Rotary Club. When Kiszenia finds the time, she enjoys spending it with her family and friends and playing tennis for fun.
“I would describe myself as loyal, organized, and a leader,” said Kiszenia.
She believes her actions exemplify all of the qualities above, and she will work to maintain those positive attributes.
Further, a quote that Kiszenia lives by is “Make an effort, not excuses.” She applies this to all aspects of her life, especially academically and athletically.
“After I graduate, I plan on attending college and studying a business major,” said Kiszenia.