What’s recently happened?
Whiting High School (WHS) hosted its first prom since before the pandemic, on May 14. Just over 200 students attended the event. The junior Class of 2023 was able to fundraise for their senior year while allowing the class of 2022 to enjoy the last moments of theirs. The theme of the Roaring 20’s added an extra layer of excitement for students. The students voted for prom royalty and crowned the senior king and queen (Jedidah Huffman and Dyllin Banik) and junior prince and princess (Erick Vazquez and Esmeralda Garcia). The students danced all night and had the opportunity to take pictures in the photo booth. The local Whiting Studio Memory Makers also took pictures for all students- an added perk when students purchased a prom ticket.
What’s coming up?
WHS reaches the end of the school year on May 26 following the commencement ceremony on May 29. For WHS all spring sports on May 16 celebrated their senior nights and honored their seniors at their last home games of the regular season before proceeding on with sectionals. With just a week left of school for all students, most seniors are ready for summer and to move on to their next step in life.
Teacher spotlight
WHS science teacher Dan Nichols retires at the end of the 2022 school year. Completing his 27 years at WHS, Nichols coached three sports, was the head coach of the Science Olympiad, coached the academic team, and was a class sponsor for the classes of 2001 and 2005. Nichols came to WHS directly out of college and was more than excited to be offered a position teaching biology and shaping the minds of young people.
“I have always wanted to help people and to make people believe in themselves, make them realize they can do a lot more than they think,” Nichols said. Through teaching and coaching, Nichols stressed the value of hard work and dedication that students and athletes should take into account.
“When you put in the time and effort for something you can achieve it and make things happen that you may have not truly believed could happen,” Nichols said.
Nichols advised the students at WHS to keep the focus on their goals and to continuously work hard at them.
“It's the hard work that makes failures hurt even more because you have dedicated so much time and effort that it hurts, but it's okay because when you finally do succeed the payoff is so much more rewarding,” Nichols said.
Being the head coach of the science olympiad Nichols said his favorite moment being at WHS is going to the National Science Olympiad tournament in Florida where the team won two medals and were national champions in one of the events they competed in. WHS thanks Nichols for his time and dedication to shaping the minds of so many students for over two decades.
Student spotlight
WHS junior Erick Vazquez is a two-sport athlete and is involved in the prom committee and booster club for WHS. Being in football and wrestling, Vazquez remembers some of his favorite memories from this year being with his teammates and spending time with them to fundraise for their team. Another notable memory is his win for prom prince in May.
“At the Whiting football car wash it was so much fun to fundraise for my team and just have a good time with all the guys,” Vazquez said.
Vazquez recommended to his fellow peers to get a head start on their goals and try not to waste time on small things. He believes that by starting early on your goals, you will have better results overall, in addition to helping yourself in the future better obtain said goals.
He looks forward to summer and his final year of football and wrestling next school year as a senior. Vazquez is also most excited about the summer practices for football and being able to see his friends and hang out over break.