Yost Young Citizen Award
The Duneland Exchange Club recently presented Yost Elementary fourth grade student Dylan Glines, center front, with the Young Citizenship Award. Also pictured, left to right, Duneland Exchange Club representative Pam Strudas, his parents David and Bridget Glines, his teacher Olivia Sloan and Principal Anne Stillman. This award is given to a fourth grade student who is an all around good citizen. The club presents this award to one student at each of the five Duneland elementary schools, at the sixth grade level at the each of the intermediate schools and at the eighth grade level at Chesterton Middle School.
Students Jump for Their Hearts and Help Save Lives
Students at Newton Yost Elementary jumped at the chance to fight heart disease and stroke, our nation’s No. 1 and No. 4 killers. During the month of February, students hosted their annual Jump Rope for Heart event to raise money for the American Heart Association, which funds lifesaving heart and stroke research and community and educational programs.
Jump Rope for Heart teaches students how physical fitness benefits the heart and shows them that volunteering can be a fun and positive experience for the whole community. The need to educate children about the importance of physical activity couldn’t be timelier. According to recent studies, about one-third of children ages two to 19 are overweight and obese.
“This is my favorite time of the school year,” said Yost Physical Education teacher Tana Bamber. “My students love jumping rope and learning about how physical fitness can keep their hearts healthy. This year, we had many families come in and participate and be active in the Jump Rope event. It was fun to see parents and grandparents jumping rope with the students.”
Apart from the health benefits, students also gained knowledge in community service by raising money. This was Bamber’s third year running a Jump event. “Yost raised $11,204.83 for the American Heart Association. This event would not be so successful if it wasn’t for the combined efforts and generosity of the jumpers, parents, and teachers. I am so proud of all of our students for being heart heroes,” she said.
CHS Japanese Students Receive Awards
Two Chesterton High School Japanese 5 students, left to right, Sydney Ghoreishi and Trevor Webb participated in the 31st Annual Japanese Language Speech Contest at the Japan Information Center in Chicago on Saturday March 25. Both Ghoreishi and Webb made it to the stage with eight other finalists from Midwest. Webb received the Bonjinsha Award and Ghoreishi received the Chicago Shinpo Award. Their CHS Japanese teacher is Akiko Tsugawa.
Jackson Zumba Program Keeps Students Active
Jackson Elementary has hosted a Zumba program for its students in grades K-4 after school during the months of January-March. Once a week, 92 students came to learn dances from their instructor/teachers left to right, Amanda Fronczak and Samantha Bailey. Students paid a membership fee of $5 with the proceeds going to the Jackson Elem. PTO. On the last session of the month, parents had the choice to come and dance with their children. "It is a super fun program," said Fronczak. "We wanted to help keep the students active during the winter months."
2017 Turtle Court
Liberty Intermediate School celebrated its 40th anniversary of the Turtle Olympics before spring break. During the annual Turtle Olympics, both fifth and sixth grade students participate in the traditional obstacle course, flipper race, terrapin spin, shoestring shuffle, tug-of-war and turtle toss. This year the band and choir sang the "Turtle Anthem" while the court did a beginning ceremony lap in the Gym. The selected Turtle Court royalty this year is pictured left to right, fifth grade turtle princes are Nathan Nix, Ryan Mahaffey, Trey Nash and Andrew Himan; sixth grade Turtle King and Queen, respectively, Ian Burgos and Aubrey Wallen; along with fifth grade turtle princesses Andrea Anderson, Autumn Carter, Kayla Cherep and Alyssa Daughtery.
Chesterton High School NHS inducts 113 new members
The Chesterton High School Chapter of National Honor Society (NHS) welcomed two seniors and 111 juniors into membership during the 70th annual induction ceremony recently at the Chesterton High School.
The two seniors are Ashley, J. Fazekas and Andrew W. Martin. The 111 juniors are Amera M. Abuhakmeh, Eric C. Amling, Lauren G. Anderson, Pieter B. Ausema, Mallory D. Babcock, Katelyn G. Balakir, Korie R. Berdine, Josie A. Brickley, Aaron J. Brookhouse, Grant A. Brunt, Madison R. Callaway, Elizabeth H. Canright, Rebecca E. Colbert, Raymond C. Connors III, Quinn P. Conway, Katherine L. Craig, Carly P. Culkin, Ryan J. Day, Megan E. Daye, Joseph E. De Hoyos, Carol D. Dilts, Jacob R. Donovan, Paige E. Donovan, Tristan J. Dooley, Camma L. Duhamell, Blake T. Ellenwood, Laura E. Estridge, Elisha M. Fieffer, Douglas Filipek, Brinley A. Fowler, Creighton W. Gaff, Hannah N. Geiss, Molly H. Grimes, Shelby B. Grimm, Sarah E. Gronceski, Nicklaus J. Hanas, Madeline L. Haskell, Jason A. Hebblethwaite, Amber N. Heilmann, Ezekiel V. Highlan, David N. Hodgkiss, Mark G. Hodgkiss, Rachel R. Hoffmann, Joshua B. Hogan, Frederick H. Hoham, Sonia A. Holsen, Alexis L. Hoover, Bryn A. Jackson, Dana N. Jacobucci, Matthew S. Jewison, Troy B. Johnson, Colleen L. Johnston, Madeline C. Juestel, Jakob A. Kintzele, Abigail N. Koster, Courtney M. Krol, Karlyn M. Layman, Julia A. Lecy, Mallory Lindstedt, Evan A. Little, Kara M. Maggio, Molly A. Mannion, Taylor L. McElheny, Clare M. McNicholas, Kevin M. Mochen, Sophia L. Moody, Genevieve G. Moran, Hannah D. Mullin, Hannah M. Nabhan, Alexis M. Nash, Violet A. Needham, Matthew R. Neely, Bryan C. Pamintuan, Rahul H. Patel, Ashlee E. Pendleton, Paul D. Petro, Nolan T. Poczekay, Benjamin L. Raffin, Gabrielle C. Rhed, Brett A. Roeske, Samantha P. Runions, Alexander L. Scott, Lydia C. Scott, Alyssa Scott-Rich, Christopher K. Sexton, Ronak R. Shah, Andrew W. Smenyak, Alexandra C. Smith, Mitchel L. Smith, Jordyn G. Soffa, Patrick S. Sosby, Amber M. South, Annie E. Spangler, Samantha T. Sriplo, Bryce A. Stephan, Kristina M. Stevenson, Thomas P. Stobbe, Logan P. Summers, Taryea A. Terry, Tessa D. Tilden, Isabel C. Torres, Jordan M. Tuel, Noah J. Van Nevel, Kayla L. VanNostran, Natalia H. Wadowski, Connor Wantuch, Samuel J. Winski, Kaylinn L. Woolever, Kirsten M. Wozniak, Warda M. Yakub and Samuel L. Yetsko.
The NHS ceremony highlights the cardinal principles of the National Honor Society-scholarship, leadership, service and character. Each new member were individually recognized and presented with a membership certificate by Van Drie. The NHS advisor is CHS science teacher Jack Neuliep.
All students invited to become members of National Honor Society have passed through a rigorous selection process that examines the areas of scholarship, leadership, service and character. National Honor Society was created by and is under the direction of the National Association of Secondary School Principals.