July:
Students wrap up online classes through Indiana Online Academy
Throughout the extent of July, students worked diligently through their online classes through Indiana Online Academy. Classes came to an end on July 23; students were required to have all school work and their final exam completed by this date. All final exams were proctored by Lake Central staff in the Freshman Center computer labs.
“The final exam was not too bad. Of course studying for any type of test during summer is not ideal, but I am glad that the final is done and that the class is over,” Elizabeth Bustamante (11) said.
Lake Central suffered from a power outage that forced administration to change the time of the finals. Instead of the regular 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. schedule, finals ran all the way to 5:30 p.m. in order to ensure students had enough time to take their final. Students had to achieve at least a 60% pass rate on their final exam to pass the class, no matter the grade they achieved in the class itself.
Students create International Club
At Lake Central, students are exposed to a myriad of clubs. No matter what a student is interested in, chances are there is a club that fits their individual interests. Two students, Rachel Gross (12) and Sean Meyer (12), created a new club to share their passion for the world and the cultures that inhibit it.
“[International Club] brings awareness to different cultures. We are meeting once or twice a month and every meeting will be focused on a different part of the world,” Meyer said.
Throughout the meetings, students will be able to gain insightful knowledge on different parts of the world.
“The meetings will include snacks and some will include presentations from each part of the world,” Meyer said.
If any Lake Central students are interested in joining this club, more information will be available once school resumes.
August:
Lake Central students, staff resume school
After a summer full of fun and games, students from Lake Central will be getting back into the swing of things starting Aug. 12.
“I am very excited to go back to school. It’s my senior year, so I am looking forward to all of the exciting things the new school year will bring,” Eva Kimberly (12) said. This year, Lake Central will also see new administration: Mr. Sean Begley is stepping up as principal, Mrs. Erin Novak, English and Mr. Doug McCallister, Math as deans and Mr. Brandon Ridenour as the new athletic director.
Once again, students will be entering into another new part of the school. The band and choir wings are now complete. Guidance offices, the main office and the library are also in their new, permanent locations. Temporary classrooms have also been removed to open up more commons areas in the Freshman Center.
“I think the changes to the school are very impressive and I’m happy that I will get to use the new amenities for my senior year. All of the improvements were much needed and they turned out great,” Kimberly said.
Student Shoutout: Jeannine Toth (12)
Senior year is the time for most high school students to start thinking about future plans: where they want to go school, what they want to do later in life and so forth. For many, making decisions that will affect you for the rest of your life is daunting. For others, such as Jeannine Toth (12), the idea of moving forward with life is exhilarating. Toth will be attending classes at the Hammond Area Career to become an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) to help prepare her more for the future.
“I’m becoming an EMT because my ultimate goal in life is to be a doctor. Being an EMT gives me hands-on experience with providing medical care as well as crisis management,” Toth said.
Pulling from personal experience, Toth knows the importance of having knowledge in the medical field.
“I have had a few incidents where I could have been seriously injured and I feel that using my ability to handle high-pressure situations and medical emergencies can help others who have also been put in those situations,” Toth said.
Knowing it will be difficult to balance becoming an EMT and her school load, Toth is remaining optimistic about the future.
“I am sure there will be points where I will be overloaded with work, but I am sure that I will be able to prioritize and get all of my school work done in addition to doing my job. I believe that I will gain valuable crisis and management skills, and more importantly, I will be able to know that I am making a difference in the world,” Toth said.