Casting Ballots, Claiming Titles
As citizens everywhere gear up for the election, the students of Chesterton High School are doing the same. The Young Voters Club has recently formed to help guide students through the voting process.
Led by history teacher Anna Zervos and senior Eli Winski, the club has been having meetings to help inform young voters about the importance of voting. They put an emphasis on how it directly affects their futures and how to be properly informed on the important issues. As this is the first year that many upperclassmen can vote, it is vital that they have a solid reasoning behind their worldview. By creating this club, Zervos and Winski hope to help many young voters find their voice and develop a sense of what politics is really about.
Trojan athletes have also been applauded these past few weeks. The girls golf team placed sixth in state, and junior Elyse Stasil placed second overall. The varsity boys tennis team was named the IHSAA Sectionals champions for the third time and for the second consecutive year. The girls varsity soccer team was named Duneland Athletic Conference co-champions on Sept. 27. They share the title with Valparaiso and Crown Point.
Finally, the boys varsity soccer team was named regional champions when they beat out Munster. They have made it through their semi-state competition and compete at state on October 29 at IUPUI. As per Trojan tradition, every team has been honored with temporary “cup art,” a congratulatory message spelled out with paper cups.
Tricks, Treats, and Tunes
This month has been especially exciting for Chesterton students, but it is about to get even better. On October 27, students join their respective clubs and teams to celebrate the annual HALL-oween. Run by Student Government and the Frontline Foundations Center, many groups set up tables throughout the school hallways and hand out candy to children who come through. The trick or treaters are usually teacher’s children, but any family is able to get in on the fun for just $5.
Every group has a different theme for their costumes. In years past, themes have included superhero squads, 1980s gym instructors decked out in neon leotards and leg warmers, Disney princesses, and hippies. Besides getting to dance along to “Monster Mash” and “This is Halloween” for two hours straight, students love getting to interact with the children, and, of course, sneaking some candy when no one is looking!
Next month, from November 18-20, the school is putting on a production of Godspell. Many students are excited that this year’s musical is considered a classic one, since people are already familiar with the show, or at least some of the music. A classic musical is a nice change from some of the more modern ones that have been done in the past, such as Seussical and The Addams Family.
The musical is also moving from its standard spring production to a fall one, pushing the annual “fall play” to a later time. Even with its new production time, the musical is sure to be a hit!
Teacher Spotlight: Phil Loos
This year, another friendly face joined the music department. Mr. Phil Loos joined orchestra this year as a director and an advanced orchestra teacher. Already, Loos is leaving his mark on the music department.
On November 4, he will be taking the CHS Orchestra to Ball State University for the IN-ASTA Orchestra Invitational. This is the third year that the invitational has been held, but the first that Loos or the CHS orchestra have attended. Students will get to perform several compositions for a panel of judges. They will then receive comments for improvement and one of the judges will work with the orchestra on the spot.
“Additionally, we will get to listen to the performance of another great high school orchestra and a string ensemble comprised of Ball State music professors,” said Loos.
Loos said that he has really enjoyed his first quarter at CHS.
“So far, the students, parents, and other staff members have made me feel very welcome in my new position,” he said. “CHS has a long tradition of providing high quality music education to its students and I’m honored to now be a part of that.”
Finally, Loos has some solid words of wisdom for high school students.
“You're only in high school once,” he said. “Try to make the most out of your experience!”
Student Spotlight: Julia Wahl
Walking through the halls of CHS, you can hear dozens of students complain that they simply have too much on their plate. One person you will almost never hear say that? The ever-chipper senior Julia Wahl.
Wahl is involved in CHS’ co-ed show choir, the Sandpipers, the fall musical, and the school newspaper, the Sandscript. She is also involved in the G.A.P.P program, where she got to spend part of her summer in Germany, staying with a host family.
“Going to Germany was a life-changing experience,” she said. “It opened my eyes to how big and diverse the world actually is. It showed me that no matter how far away you live from someone, you are always able to connect, relate, and can find a way to share common ground.”
Of course, the big question for any senior is what they want to do with their future. Wahl has several options that she is considering as far as college majors go.
“I would like to study anything that allows creativity,” she said. “My top choices right now would be music, creative writing, German, or journalism.”
Outside of her scholarly extracurricular activities, Wahl has many activities that she likes to do in her spare time.
Wahl said, “I really enjoy going on long runs in nature, having deep conversations, and reading books about magical lands, as well as cooking, making people laugh, writing poetry, making art, singing, playing guitar, and dancing.”