What's recently happened?
Washington High School (WHS) recently partnered with the South Bend Medical Foundation (SBMF) to hold the second blood drive of this year at WHS. Students and staff were happy to help save lives by donating.
The blood drive was held in the WHS library on April 15 and 16, with anyone over the age of 17 welcome to contribute. The SBMF is in need of all blood types and hosts regular blood drives throughout South Bend and the surrounding areas.
Donated blood is used to treat patients who need blood transfusions, people with serious medical conditions like cancer and anemia, or patients undergoing surgery. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of blood donations, which is why the SBMF is working hard to ensure that patients receive proper treatment.
Last November, the SBMF partnered with multiple high schools in the area to see which could raise the most donations. Many eligible Panthers came to donate, including the WHS baseball team. Donors were offered snacks, drinks, and their choice of a pink or black beanie for their contribution.
The SBMF encouraged students and staff to eat breakfast and drink water before donating. Blood drives have numerous positive effects on the community; the SBMF motivates everyone to take the initiative and donate whenever possible.
What's coming up?
This May, WHS will be hosting the 2024 West Side Refresh in collaboration with the South Bend Empowerment Zone (SBEZ) to raise awareness for mental wellness in the community. The event will be on May 11 and will feature vendors, a wellness fun fair, student and adult mental health workshops, and more.
“It is for Mental Health Awareness month to raise awareness about mental health and wellness needs for our community (students, families, and staff),” SBEZ Director of Student Wellness Adrienne Batteast said. “There will be mental health workshops, vendors with wellness information, fun activities for kids, and food.”
The SBEZ is a non-profit organization between Navarre Middle School and Coquillard, Harrison, Warren, and Wilson Elementary Schools. Its mission is to transform student achievement and growth at South Bend Schools by nurturing the minds of children in the community.
One of the main events of the West Side Refresh is the wellness workshops. This year's physical and emotional student workshops will feature “Social-Emotional Activities” with Amber Gonzales and “Brazier Fit Boxing” with Cory Brazier.
Adult workshops include “What Counseling Looks Like” by Yvonne Larrier, “Why Self Care is Essential” with Charisse Lee, “Mindfulness” with Kayla Jaeckel, and “Voices Unheard: Shedding Light on Young Men's Mental Health” with Derrick Perry. The seminars will last from 12:30-1:45 p.m.
Another attraction will be the Wellness Fun Fair, which will run from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and pick back up from 1:45 to 2:30 p.m. The fair will feature multiple activities for students and parents in the community like food trucks, wellness vendors, bouncy houses, a DJ, and sports physicals.
The Refresh will be a great opportunity for students and parents to get in touch with and be more mindful of mental health.
Staff spotlight:
Bryan Ayala has been Family Liaison and Public Relations at WHS for three years. He grew up in Littlefield, Texas and attended South Plains College before moving to Indiana and getting his degree in education from Indiana University of South Bend. Ayala promotes WHS on the school's social media pages in addition to being the school's main photographer.
“One of the things I was always good at was breaking things down and explaining them to people in the terms that they would understand,” Ayala said.
He is also responsible for the Social Media Club, where students learn how to operate a camera, design graphics, take pictures at school events, and practice their photography skills. He hopes to continue to grow the Social Media Club and incorporate more video elements as well as recruiting student reporters for WHS sports.
One of his favorite things to do during the school year is “The Faces of Washington,'' a series posting pictures of students who aren't normally on the WHS social media. Every student has the opportunity to come and get their pictures taken and posted the week of spring break.
“For me, I wanted to find a way to promote the kids who aren't always online for sports,” Ayala said.
Before coming to WHS, he worked as a public outreach for non-profit organizations like Jobs for America's Graduates and Community Wellness Partners. He spent over 10 years before that working in factories before eventually pursuing a career in education.
In his free time, Ayala likes to do some woodworking and barbeque. He makes smoked brisket, pork ribs, and homemade beef jerky. For almost 16 years, Ayala has been hosting an annual Fourth of July cookout. He also likes to watch and play sports and frequently attends WHS games to promote the teams.
Ayala has a strong passion for learning and a talent for teaching. He has helped many students to pursue their interests, whether it be photography, sports, or academics.
Student spotlight:
Sophia Shaw is a sophomore at WHS and is working hard to represent her class this school year. She is a talented musician for the WHS band and has a strong academic standing.
Shaw went to Navarre Middle School, where she learned to play the flute. Since coming to WHS, Shaw has performed in multiple concerts and school events with the WHS band and the Panther Pep Band.
In addition to this year's winter concert, Shaw performed in the South Bend High School Music Fest at the Morris Performing Arts Center. The band had the opportunity to play with Riley, Clay, and Adams High Schools.
“They sounded pretty good, all of them,” said Shaw. “They played wonderfully – I really liked the Adams jazz band. Overall, the concert was pretty good.”
Shaw is in the Top 10 of her class and is involved in the Class of 2026 Representatives as secretary and board advisor. As secretary, Shaw documents and helps organize meetings as well as plans events like food drives and trips. She also works WHS concession stands to help raise money for this year's sophomore trip to Chicago.
She is interested in learning about computers and enjoys playing video games. Some of her favorite games include the “Legend of Zelda” games, “Earthbound,” and “Genshin Impact.” She also likes to watch anime like “Attack on Titan” and “Spy x Family,” as well as knitting and crocheting in her free time.
Shaw wants to develop an understanding of how to care for teeth and plans to pursue a career in dental care as an orthodontist. She is not sure of which school she would like to study at but has many options and aspirations for her future.
This summer, she plans to visit family in South Carolina as well as work part-time at Culver's. So far, her favorite memory from this year was playing with her bandmates at WHS football games.
“All the good memories and all the good people,” Shaw said. “I think I would have to say my favorite memory was going to the football games with the band.”