What recently happened?
The Whiting High School (WHS) football team took a big win on Friday, August 23, against North Newton High School. WHS’ home opener and first game of the season was a huge success with a final score of 63-0!
Students came out to show their Oiler pride, filling up the stands in beach-themed clothing. Football Head Coach John Jolley said it was just how he expected the evening to go – with a big win.
His goal this year is to help lead the team to a conference championship and draw more people to the stands. He wants to build the student body for the team and give the community football they can look forward to. Having his players continue their winning streak gives the fans a reason to stay.
“We keep working every day to improve ourselves and our team. We are still learning to play hard every play and compete at a high level. There will be bumps in the road, but as long as we're learning from them we will keep getting better, and that will have us in a position to accomplish our goals,” said Jolley.
The Oilers next home game is Saturday, September 21. Be sure to come out and support.
What’s coming up?
WHS Homecoming Spirit Week is coming up this September. This year's WHS Homecoming Dance will take place on September 21, hosted by the school’s booster club.
WHS celebrates its homecoming all week long. Students work all week decorating their hallways with the chosen theme for judging on Thursday morning. They also dress up all week in special outfits, hoping to earn points for their class.
Students will also decorate class floats for the homecoming parade on Thursday night. The parade will start on 119th Street at the Whiting Animal Shelter, turn on Oliver Street then Ohio Avenue, and end again on 119th Street in front of the Mascot Hall of Fame. After the parade, a big bonfire follows on the corner of 119th Street with the whole school.
In addition to Thursday night’s parade, there is also a kickball game between all the classes. The overall class winner will earn points toward the spirit stick.
The last few periods of Friday’s school day will be held in the gym for the Homecoming Pep Rally. The pep rally will hold lots of activities for classes to earn points and show their school spirit for the game.
Friday night’s game is expected to be the biggest of the season, with students filling up the stands in green and white to cheer their Oilers on. At the game, the Homecoming King and Queen will be announced during half-time as well as the spirit stick winner.
Staff spotlight:
Gabrielle Chappel is a science teacher at WHS and this year's new cheer coach. Chappel teaches AP space science and biology, along with sponsoring the junior class.
Before coming to Whiting, Chappel taught physical sciences at Michigan City. Chappel has now taught for six years, this year being her second at Whiting.
Chappel graduated from Michigan City High School before beginning her college journey. Chappel began at Evangel University in Springfield, where she cheered before transferring to Indiana State University. She then dropped out of college for a bit before coming back and attending Purdue University Northwest, where she received her bachelor's degree.
As far as teaching at WHS, she says there is a good reason she travels an hour each day to get to school.
“The kids here are really good. The culture is really good, very respectful, in comparison to previous positions I’ve had,” said Chappel.
Chappel has taken on a big role this school year as WHS's head cheer coach. Chappel cheered throughout her middle school to college life. She has cheered at many competitions and has since missed cheering, saying cheer fueled her desire to be a teacher.
This season Chappel hopes to improve the girls' stunts and take them to competitions. The first competition will hopefully be in February of 2025, and by next year the girls will be ready for State.
“Our goal is to be completely ready for competition in February and go to the state competition in October of 2025. I didn’t think that we’d be quite ready this year because we had a lot to work on and build on for stunting and other things, so our goal is state competition in 2025,” said Chappel.
Chappel says her best advice to students is to always ask for help when they need it, as it's the best way for teachers to help their students improve.
Student spotlight:
Rhiyana Player is a senior at WHS this year and one of her classes' top 10 students. Player is known at the school for her friendly personality and academics. Player has participated in multiple clubs in previous years such as the Science Olympiad, Tennis, Academic Team, Yearbook, and many more.
Player hopes to keep up with her academics while balancing her many other responsibilities.
“I intend to keep my top 10 placement by continuing to work hard. I plan to make sure I have no missing or late work this year. I’m going to try my best and also help others succeed if they need help,” said Player.
This year Player hopes to become a tennis manager for the spring season. Player has also set goals for herself this year in her extra circles and in the classroom.
“I hope to be a good tennis manager this year and help the players with whatever they need and to keep track of everything. In Science Olympiad, I hope to place often this year in whatever event I do. As far as goals for the classroom, my main priority this year is to keep my spot in the top 10,” said Player.
Player mentions in previous years that her motivations were not as strong as they are this year.
“My only motivation for school in past years was my grades. Now that I have reached my goal of being in the top 10, my motivation for the year is a little stronger. I have continued to work hard to get to where I am right now, and I feel very proud of myself,” said Player.
After high school, Player plans to go to Purdue University Northwest to become an engineering manager. With Player's hard work ethic, there is no doubt in anybody's mind that she can reach her goal of staying in the top ten, if not climbing higher.
