What’s Happening?
A new year is often a time to start over and reestablish oneself. At Lowell High School, it is an opportunity to become even better and achieve even more.
A few weeks after returning from break, students took a day to relax and celebrate together at the annual winter formal. Hosted by the sophomore student council, all students were invited to dress up and hang out for music, food, and a great night.
Lowell’s sports teams have also started off the new year with an excellent record. Even before 2016 boys wrestling made the claim to many victories. On December 30th Drew Hughes won his fourth Al Smith title. The boys have continued to impress as the season has progressed performing especially well at the Gary Burkhard Invitational. The 19th of January proved to be a big day for sports as well. Though gymnastics lost with 91.30 to Lake Central with 97.95 they proved to be fierce competition. On the same day, boys swim triumphed over Griffith scoring 138 points.
Lowell’s basketball teams have also outdone themselves this season. Girls basketball started the year with their win against Hobart. The win on the fifth made for their third in a row. The boys also started the year with a win against Highland scoring 58 to 27. More recently they defeated Lake Central with a close score of 65 to 63. Every team continues to work hard, intending to finish the season as strong or stronger than they started.
What’s Coming Up?
After their performance at regionals, Lowell’s decathlon team proves to be tough competition for state this February. Hours of hard work went behind the first place win on the twenty-third and plenty more are to follow before competing for the state title in a few short weeks. Meanwhile, the academic super bowl teams are just getting started for their own future competitions. This year’s topic focuses on Indiana and competitors in all subjects hope to take advantage of everything their state has to offer.
Fine arts students are also hard at work. Band and choir are both preparing to compete in Indiana’s high school music competition. Though the event isn’t until April added preparation is the key to earning gold. A few Individual students in these groups have also decided to go above and beyond. After practicing for many months and dedicating free time to vocals or instrumentals, students will have a chance to compete individually at the ISSMA competition near the end of January. The event rewards students with a passion for music and allows them to improve with advice from educated judges.
National Honor Society students dedicated their time January twenty-second and twenty-third to assist a local church with their murder mystery dinner. The event served as a chapter service project as a way for the group to give back to their community. The group plans to continue to positively influence the town of Lowell and Lowell High School in the future. Current plans involve a cancer awareness walk as well as a clothing drive at the high school.
Student Shoutout: Carli Medina
Two of Lowell’s students have recently been selected to attend a unique leadership opportunity called SLYCE. Juniors Carli Medina and Tucker Malkowski were two of 68 kids in the area chosen to participate in the program. 130 kids were initially nominated and then narrowed down through an application and interview process. The program focuses on making connections and learning how to become a leader in the community. IT consists of ten sessions each with a different beneficial topic.
“We discussed what is takes to be a leader, with most people saying they need to be passionate and responsible.”
SLYCE is the newest addition to Carli’s already busy life. An employee of the YMCA and a participant of academic decathlon, academic super bowl, and student council she already has many leadership opportunities in her life. She also runs in her free time and volunteers to help her sisters striders group when needed. Through the years, she has become an expert at balancing school, work, and extra-curricular activities.
With all of the responsibility Carli holds at school and in the community, being a participant of the SLYCE program is even more beneficial to her.
“Being a leader is more about helping others succeed than just yourself. I think the program will give me a lot of different opportunities.”
Carli’s efforts in her community have already given her opportunities many teenagers never experience. She plans to continue to excel even after she graduates next June.
“I don’t have it all planned out, but I’d love to go into the medical field and become a doctor or a surgeon.” Already she has every characteristic of a leader and continues to work through example to make her school and surrounding community a better place.