#1StudentNWI: Teachers and Students Finish the Year Off Strong at Merrillville High School

#1StudentNWI: Teachers and Students Finish the Year Off Strong at Merrillville High School

Student of the Month: Alexus Shirrells
Junior Alexus Shirrells plays on the varsity basketball team and a freshman mentor.

This past weekend, she was awarded Prom Queen of Merrillville High School. At Merrillville, teachers nominate who is on Prom Court and then the students vote for them.

“I was in Virginia for a basketball tournament when I found out I was nominated,” Shirrells said. “It was nerve wrecking, but the outcome was outstanding.”

Shirrells is successful academically and helps her teachers whenever they are in need.

“I just enjoy being in the learning environment with people who will encourage and motivate me,” Shirrells said. “So I give back to my teachers whenever they need me.”

Not only is she successful academically, but she also excels on the basketball court.

This past season she led the basketball team in assists.

“I love playing basketball, It’s my heart,” Shirrells said. “I’ve been playing since I was little and it’s been my passion ever since.”

She said she thanks every teacher who nominated her and every student who voted for her.”

“It was a night I will never forget,” Shirrells said.

MVHS-April-1studentNWi-2016-02Freshman Mentors: Starting a new year
The end of the year is wrapping up which means it is time to start looking for new freshman mentors.

“We are looking for students who are willing to mentally and emotionally engage with the students,” Senior Selena Drake said. “We don’t need people who are just looking to get out of class.” Last year there were close to 100 mentors but as the year dwindled down, students left the club and/or did not care enough about the program.

“This year we will probably have to cut the members down to around 50 or 60 to make sure everyone is dedicated to this program,” Sponsor Mr. Daniel Schoon said.

There are qualifications to become a mentor for the upcoming year.

“In order to be a mentor, you have to have at least a 3.0, have good recommendations from your teachers and also have to have a great personality,” Drake said. “We aren’t just accepting any applications.”

In the interviews, they ask questions involving scenarios, best dance move impersonations of people.

“We ask the student for example ‘What would you do if a freshman said they were having family complications and not doing well in school?’ to see how they react to situations,” Drake said. “Then we ask them to do an impersonation of someone or their best dance move so they can show their personalities.”

The leaders of Freshman Mentors want to see the club grow physically and mentally as a group.

MVHS-April-1studentNWi-2016-03Girls’ Tennis: Post season is coming up
The Girls’ Tennis team started off with a satisfying record of 5-2, but conference meets started to make an impact on them. They are now 5-5 as sectionals come around the corner.

“We need to focus on working as a team at practice although we play individually,” Senior Claribell Quinones said. “While we are at practice we need to be more focused.”

The team said they are closer than they have ever been.

“It is good to have this type of bond with the people you are with every day,” Senior Janae Williams said.

The wins at the beginning of the season gave them confidence and made the team stick together even more.

“Winning at the beginning of the season felt very nice,” Williams said. “It made us feel like we were capable of beating anyone if we put our minds to it.”

Sectionals start May 18 at Hobart and the team is looking forward to the competition.

“I’m ready to give all I have for my last year,” Senior Bethany Rochefort said. “Last year I was hurt with a torn ACL, so this year I am ready to finish strong.”

“We are ready to focus on winning and building our strength as a team to prepare us for sectionals,” Rochefort said.

MVHS-April-1studentNWi-2016-04Teacher of the Month: Lee Meyer
Ms. Lee Meyer has been teaching at Merrillville High School for a total of 20 years and has been teaching overall for 27 years.

“The best part about teaching is the interaction with the kids and helping them learn skills in which they will use out of school,” Ms. Meyer said.

Although she said the students and faculty are great and supportive, there are some difficult aspects to being a teacher.

“The hardest parts are the distractions from kids who don't want to focus on their work,” Ms. Meyer said. “And anything that gets in the way of my ability to share the knowledge.”

Ms. Meyer is not just a teacher, but I mother as well.

“My biggest accomplishment throughout my life had to be raising my kids because they are all different yet great individuals,” Mrs. Meyer said.

She also enjoys reading, playing the piano, and being outside because they are relaxing and peaceful.

“I’ve been able to help so many young kids over the years because education is crucial to making a good life for my students,” Mrs. Meyer said.