The East Chicago Central High School senior class of 2017 held their first Trunk-or-Treat event. Trunk-or-treating has the same traditions as the old-fashioned trick-or-treating, but instead of going door to door ringing doorbells for candy, you go from trunk to trunk of cars that are parked together in a parking lot.
It is supposed to eliminate the risk of any malicious acts and behavior from occurring because adults and guardians are present at the event.
“I wanted to do something not only for our high school, but for our community too,” Terion Collins, senior class president said.
“We’re starting to do a lot more community events that hve Central [High School] involved. We just did a huge Krispy Kreme donut fundraising for our prom.”
While there was the traditional passing out of candy, there was also free face-painting for the children with designs of pumpkins, skeletons, and cat whiskers. In addition to that, there was a concession stand open for the community event goers to buy hot chocolate to keep warm in the chilly weather and to support the East Chicago Central High School class of 2017.
Amongst that was a local aspiring DJ, “DJ Lil Jon” playing a mix of traditional music such as “The Monster Mash” and today’s hits on the radio. The kids seemed to enjoy getting candy and dancing to music.
In midst of the various cars passing out snack-sized chocolates like Snickers and Kit-Kats, there was one car, or should I say trunk, passing out traditional Hispanic treats. These treats included mazapans, which are to be described as almond paste that melts in your mouth, chicles, which are Hispanic bubblegum in ball-shaped form, and vero mango paleta con chile, which translates from Spanish to English as “mango with chile.” This mango-flavored lollipop covered in spicy chile is a traditional Mexican favorite.
When asked why they weren’t giving out the traditional candies like Snickers or Dum-Dum lollipops, senior class of 2017 secretary Betsaida Fernandez explained, “Central has a very diverse population of students. Our Mexican, Puerto Rican, Honduran, Guatemalan, the list can go on and on, trick-or-treaters might like to enjoy their favorite candy. I’ve never received a vero mango sucker or a vero watermelon sucker in my trick-or-treat bag before, and I think the kids that grew up eating the candy like my friends and I did will enjoy receiving it.”
Student Spotlight: Leon Valdez II
What do you get when you mix determination, skill, professionalism, and kind-heartedness? You get Leon Valdez II. A well-rounded, social butterfly with his peers and mentors, Leon has already proven that he is bound to succeed in a multitude of various categories.
Leon is set to be an overachiever. He set the record to be the youngest student, at the mere age of thirteen, in the whole entire state of Indiana to pass the math course of Calculus and algebra ECA test, which is a senior level class course. With a grade point average of 4.3, not to mention honors and advanced placement courses from his middle school years, Leon has been a productive member of The National Honors Society for three years in a row.
Leon is also in the top 1% of the East Chicago Central High School class of 2017 and ranked number two, assuming the position and title of Salutatorian when his graduation comes in June 2017. He has been on the principal’s honor roll and dean’s list. With all these great and resourceful credentials, he intends to attend his dream school, Columbia College of Chicago or study at Indiana University of Bloomington with an undecided major.
When it comes to athletics, Leon has been a proud East Chicago Central football player and baseball player, from his sophomore season up until his senior season. He was the first Latino and first lineman to win Mr. Football 2016, and he has also won student athlete of the year from years 2014 to present.
A dedicated lineman, he has spent countless hours practicing his love for the sport. Leon said, “I’m proud to be a part of the team that won the first G.L.A.C. conference championship for East Chicago Central High School. I grew a lot as a person and as a man, teammate, and friend. I’ve learned how to be responsible and handle your own weight because that’s how we win games.”
Leon and his teammates made it to the 2016 IHSSA Class 4A game, but unfortunately lost to Munster.
Leon is also a self-taught musician. His ability to play instruments varies from the guitar, both electric and acoustic, to the piano. He started writing music in the third grade and developed a passion and a deep craving for the art of producing music.
“It’s my dream to become pro and make one of the greatest albums of our generation, and it’s not just about commercial success. I want to be able to help other human beings with my music and help them achieve the feeling of just vibing out to your favorite record. As a huge music fan, I love hearing a record play and feeling it within my soul. I want other people to feel like that when they hear my music”.