What’s recently happened?
Festival season has just about wrapped up for the Region. The St. John Festival, which occurred from July 11-14, was a success once again.
Held at 9400 Wicker Ave., this annual event brings in large numbers of people every year. They offer a beer tent with live entertainment from local bands such as Automatic Noise, Underground Prophets, and King Bee and The Stingers. They also give a wide selection of food ranging from Ben’s Pretzels to Ciao Bella; there is something for everyone in the family to enjoy.
Aside from the food and beverage area that draws in many, their carnival rides are where the kids have the most fun. Attendees were able to buy a 4-Day Unlimited Ride Wristband for $60 or a daily wristband for $25.
Rides such as the Hyperloop, Ferris Wheel, and the Hangover were all there this year and had steady lines throughout the fest. For those who were less ambitious, there were plenty of kids' games, bingo, and nightly casino games.
Parking has always been a struggle for the St. John Fest, so in attempts to alleviate some of that struggle, there were many officers directing traffic on 93rd as well as School Street. Shuttles and parking were offered for free and handicap parking at FUZE Medical & Medispa was available for guests.
Joelle Serbenta, a Lake Central upcoming senior, went to the fest.
“The St. John Fest was such a fun event. My friends and I went on rides and got the chance to catch up with some people we hadn’t seen since school ended,” Serbenta said. “I most definitely will be returning again next year!”
What’s coming up?
As the summer festivities wrap up, the beginning of school events are now in the near future. On August 7, Lake Central High School will host its annual Freshman Rush.
This day gives incoming freshmen the ability to tour the highschool, get a feel for where their classes will be, and meet their future classmates.
The day starts out as a meeting in the auditorium with administrators and then students are broken up into groups where they adventure out into different areas of the school.
A hallway is dedicated to sponsors of clubs to advertise and promote new members to join as the school year starts.
New students also get the opportunity to walk through the cafeteria as if it were an actual school day to understand the flow of lunch lines. They can also buy lunch and sit at a table with friends if they would like to.
Although starting at a new school with thousands of students can be very intimidating to most, this day aims to help relieve some stress of those who are weary about the new transition from middle to high school.
So now is the time to start packing those bags and get ready for the closely approaching first day of school on August 13, especially for the class of 2029.
Community member spotlight:
While many upcoming high school seniors are worried about college and what their future holds, Nikola Ivetic has been working towards his future long before most.
As he started his freshman year off traditionally, playing Varsity soccer for Lake Central High School and in a travel league for Indiana Elite, things began to quickly shift.
He signed with the Chicago Fire Academy, returned to LCHS, and signed with Indy Eleven Academy instead.
“The path to Indy Eleven has been quite a difficult journey. but it has been one that is more than worthwhile. The academy is an opportunity in soccer that is offered throughout the U.S.,” Ivetic said.
Indy Eleven is based out of Indianapolis, Indiana, and serves as a pathway to pro soccer for young, aspiring athletes. Players have to try out, and once selected, they attend school and play through the academy.
“The thing Indy Eleven gives that high school simply cannot is the opportunity to display what you're made of and have the possibility of training and playing professionally prior to college. This is an experience I am more than blessed to be able to have,” Ivetic said.
Although this is such a great accomplishment for someone of such a young age, it comes with a lot of sacrifice.
“Signing with the Academy and progressing my career has made me give up some things and experience a whole new type of life. I have moved away from home, and that might be the hardest challenge, but ultimately, it is an opportunity that not everybody can experience. I will never take that for granted”.
Soccer may be all-consuming in Nikola’s life but he does find moments to take a break from the world of fútbol.
“Other than soccer, some of my favorite pastimes are hanging out with my friends as well as playing golf and pickleball,” Ivetic said.
Family is also of huge importance for Ivetic. Being away has made his appreciation grow for others around him.
“I try to go home every weekend as much as possible so I can make time for those who helped me get to where I’m at and so I can see the people I miss most. I also make the effort to go home and enjoy my nights to the best of my ability, treating the community as my own for that was where I was raised,” Ivetic said.
Even though every great thing is not always sunshine and rainbows, the benefits of the academy ultimately outweigh the sacrifices.
“What I believe the future holds for me is to continue working with the professional athletes, as they make me better and stronger. I will take what I learn and implement that into college as I value a great education as much as my soccer. However, if the opportunity arises to continue the pro pathway without college, that will of course be an option I have to deeply consider,” Ivetic said.
Nikola’s story should serve as a reminder to young athletes that hard work pays off and your dreams are never quite out of reach.