What happened recently?:
As the countdown to graduation occurred for the class of 2022, Merrillville High School (MHS) students made sure to leave their final marks before they enter a new phase in their lives.
Friday, June 3, 2022, two Senior athletes from the girls’ track team competed in the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) state track meet at Indiana University. Taylor Jackson ran in the 100-meter high hurdles placing second in the state and breaking the MHS record now having a time of 13:97. Jackson also placed 11th in the 300-meter hurdles. Devyn Walters also ran in the 200-meter dash placing 13th.
Within the next 48 hours on Sunday, June 5, 2022, over 400 MHS students walked the stage. The first ceremony for last names with the letter A-K took place at 1:00 p.m. with speeches made by Vincent Feliciano (Valedictorian), Aiden Mclaughlin (Salutatorian), Azariah Crosby (Class President), and Aniyah Kelliehan (Class Vice President). Each student that gave a speech presented motivational remarks that encouraged classmates to continue on their path and to be proud of themselves once they themselves graduate high school.
The next ceremony for graduating seniors with last names K-Z took place at 5:00 p.m. having the same student speak and share encouraging words with their fellow classmates. A speech was also given by Angela Escobedo, a Spanish teacher and class of 2022 sponsor, reminiscing on the trials and tribulations shared by the class of 2022. Escobedo talked about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the hard work, dedication, and endurance the senior class faced to be able to get to graduation. As of 6:45 p.m. that night MHS had welcomed the 96th graduating class and over 450 new alumni.
Seniors chose to still have their senior class prank as a final goodbye to MHS. They decided to pull desks out of classrooms, stack chairs, and make many posters exclaiming that the class of 2022 was the best to have walked the halls of MHS.
What’s Coming Up:
Merrillville Community School Corporation (MCSC) is continuing the summer bus program for summer 2022. Starting June 13, students will be able to go to select Merrillville schools and designated locations from the hours of 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. to pick out books to read over the summer. This opportunity does give students a way to receive prizes and awards during the summer for each book they finish.
MCSC Library enters each student into a raffle once the book of their choice is selected and they have scanned a specific barcode available on the MCSC website. Smaller prizes are given out weekly while larger items have three dates announced for the summer months.
There also is a Google classroom available for students that would prefer to participate in reading aloud in order to complete their books. The read-aloud option is from 10:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. on Monday through Thursday. Grades from Kindergarten through 4th are able to be a part of this activity.
High School students that may not want to do a reading activity have the option of Makerspace, which are weekly activities selected by the MHS librarians. Makerspace will be available from 7:10 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. lasting June 13 through July 22.
Community Member Spotlight:
Carlton Clay, a rising junior at MHS, is looking forward to the school year when he will finally take the title of an upperclassman. Clay, after having his first year of high school affected by the pandemic and then readjusting sophomore year, is now ready to fully take on the exciting opportunities at MHS.
“Next year I’ll be in mock trial, Thespian troupe, SSAC, orchestra, and I plan on joining volleyball in the spring,” Clay said. “I plan on maintaining my time management skills and having personal days to relax and unwind."
Clay is also not only looking forward to the activities inside but also outside the classroom.
“I’m looking forward to strengthening my friendship bonds and improving my grades overall,” Clay said.
Clay believes that work ethic and determination are key roles in contributing to an individual's success. He has been maintaining a high-grade point average while being a team player in all of his extracurriculars and encourages freshmen to do the same.
“Freshman year is a breeze compared to the higher grades, but not doing your work can really mess you up,” Clay said. “Don’t slack off because raising your GPA back up is very tough. Also, pace yourself and try to do all your work without stressing yourself till the end of the trimester.”
While Clay does not have any particular favorite memory in the classroom, he does have one class that will remain memorable.
“5th hour Honors US history,” Clay said. “ It felt like a movie there every day, we had such a great time every single day and I loved that class so much.”