Looking back at February
SPORTS
Basketball
On Sat. Feb 14, Lake Central’s varsity girls’ basketball team beat East Chicago with a final score of 72 to 48. Although on Feb. 21 they fell to Merrillville for the Regional Title, the girls secured the spot of Sectional Champions in their win against East Chicago.
Centralettes
LC Centralettes hosted the annual Lake Central Dance Invitational competition on Feb. 14, along with their senior night. On Feb. 21, for the 21st year in a row, the Centralettes won Regional Champions at the IHSDTA North Regional Dance championship. Varsity received a score of 92.83 in Jazz and a score of 88.63 in AAA Hip Hop. Both JV and Varsity Centralettes received the regional title. Although Senior Night took place earlier at the LCDI, the Regional performances marked the last time the senior members of the team would perform on their home floor.
Swimming
Boys swimming hosted the preliminary round of sectionals for the first time in Lake Central’s new Olympic sized pool. All of Lake Central’s boys’ varsity swimmers managed to advance to Sectionals that took place on Sat. Feb. 21 at 9 a.m. The boys finished in second place and will move on to the State competition at IUPUI.
“[I’m feeling] nervous and excited [about State]. This is the first year I’ve been ranked in the Top 8, so I’m hoping to hold my spots and come home with a medal,” Barajas said.
Wrestling
Merrillville High School hosted the Semi-State wrestling tournament on Saturday, Feb. 13. Out of the five wrestlers that the Indians brought to the tournament, Branden Truver (12), Kodie Christenson (12) and Jacob Kleimola (11) headed to the State tournament. On Feb. 20 and Feb. 21, Branden Truver went up against four opponents and managed to take home 5th place out of eight at state.
“I am definitely happy with the way [my season] ended. My goal was top five, so I just made that happen. I knew I could do it, it was just a matter of putting in the time and the effort to do it,” Truver said.
CLUBS
Interact
The Interact Club met on Feb. 11 to discuss their Support the Troops bags. Earlier in the month, members placed the bags in various places around the school in an attempt to collect supplies for the men and women overseas. Students are able to bring in anything that they think a service member may like, including letters, books and magazines. “We’re collecting items for the troops all year. We hope we can collect a lot so that we can make a difference in a soldier’s life. It’s the least we can do for those fighting for our country,” Jillian Wilschke, a member of the Interact Club, said.
Student Council
Student Council held a fundraiser with Buffalo Wild Wings in Schererville on Feb. 18. The fundraiser was to benefit the Riley Hospital for Children, and students were given a ticket to receive the 15-percent donation for what they purchased.
“We pretty much stood outside the lunchroom doors and we just handed flyers to everyone who went in and out. I saw people on social media [posting about how they were] at Buffalo Wild Wings so I think the fundraiser went really well and students enjoyed it,” Madeline Hirschfield (11) said.
Dollars for Scholars
On Feb. 18, sponsors, coaches and members of Dollars for Scholars were informed of a new fundraising opportunity. Dr. Larry Veracco, superintendent, spoke about the new opportunity. Members of clubs or sports teams can encourage their supporters to buy bricks for the new Tribe Terrace, located on the new football field. Part of the profits received will go to extracurricular groups and part will go to creating a war memorial.
“I think the brick project is a great way to leave your mark on a part of LC that future generations will see. It’s also a great chance to fundraise for your favorite clubs that you’ve enjoyed throughout high school,” Alayna Wallace (12) said. Looking forward to March
PERFORMING ARTS
“Forbidden Broadway” opens Thursday, March 12 and continues until March 14. Unlike the usual musical, this one is a revue, which consists of a collection of songs and skits rather than being plot driven.
“I’m a little disappointed that we don’t have a musical that is traditionally known as a standard musical, because it is my senior year and I always wanted to be part of a musical as a senior. But it does give an interesting take on theater and allow students to develop different types of characters,” Madeline Conley (12) said.
The show will be held at LC’s LGI at 7 p.m.
SPRING BREAK
March 23 marks the beginning of Spring Break for students. After the harsh cold weather, some are seeking a warmer climate to relax in. “I and my friends decided that because we’re going to be graduating and going off to college, we decided that it would be cool to have one last vacation together. Senior year has been very stressful, so getting away and having fun will be a nice escape,” Sara Lisac (12) said.
Spring break will stretch from March 23 until March 27.
STUDENT SHOUT OUT
Knowing only how to hold a microphone, Caleb Beasley (10) was thrown in front of the camera to cover the Crown Point vs. Lake Central football game. Beasley landed a job at Lakeshore Public Media when he stepped inside and the production manager offered him a callback.
“[Lakeshore Public Media] has this TV show called “Pro Football Report” that airs during the fall on Thursday and Friday nights. Friday, they go live. Thursday is a prerecorded show. So I don’t have my own TV show, I’m just the star of a TV show,” Beasley said.
Beasley has had an interest of being on TV since he was young.
“When I was younger, my grandmother used to watch “Meet the Press” and all these political shows and the cool music in the background would just attract me to the show, so I would always watch it. Then I watched tapes from Sept. 11, 2001, with the terror attacks and how the people relied on them for information. It just gave me a feeling and I got kind of addicted to it.” Beasley said.
After the LCTV producer, Myra Lolkema, Technology trainer, found out about Beasley’s talent, he was asked to join the staff.
TEACHER SHOUT OUT
Mr. Joe Fox, Math, takes on various responsibilities inside and outside of the classroom.
Beyond the classroom, Mr. Fox takes up the responsibilities of a farmer. Farming has become a lifestyle for Mr. Fox and has helped him in various aspects of his life.
“I was out with the livestock when I was one to two years old, and I was driving a tractor when I was six, so I've been doing it for a long time. I enjoy being outside a lot. It’s totally different from [teaching] where I’m inside the whole time. When I go home, I’m outside so there’s kind of a contrast. [Here] you’re inside a room whereas [at the farm] I’m outside in the 40 below, [and] I’m outside in the 100 degree heat doing things. It also really helps developing a sense of family, the act of doing work together,” Mr. Fox said.
However, every aspect of life has a positive and a negative.
“Growing up when I was [a teenager], I wasn't a big fan of it because I didn't get to go places. I can’t remember the last time I've taken a vacation because we couldn't find someone to take care of things. There were responsibilities where we had to do morning chores [and] afternoon chores. When the crops are being put in and taken out, you’re doing that. The weather dictates a lot of what you have to do. It’s really all about responsibility. If we were in harvest or planting season, that was our priority. There were fun times though, too,” Mr. Fox said.
Photos taken by: Hannah Sonner, Madeline Hirschfield, Liz Bustamante, Candace Jarzombek and Shannon Hearne.