#1StudentNWI: Hammond Gavit Encourages Success

#1StudentNWI: Hammond Gavit Encourages Success

What has recently happened?

Just last year, the Indiana Department of Education named Donald E. Gavit as this year's National Title 1 Distinguished School for Growth and Closing the Achievement Gap. The school was given this award for its creative approaches to motivate students, and the teamwork of the administration throughout the school.

“I think the secret is that the teachers treat kids like their own,” said principal Michelle Ondas. She believes the students and teachers really want to be there.

The National Title usually goes to bigger, more superior schools, but this year things have changed. Strong partnerships between the school, parents, and community have encouraged the students to give their all towards their education.

The schools are selected after reviewing data and analyzing Title 1 funding expenditures.

The school had a pep rally honoring the award where several administrators and fellow student, Malcolm Lang, gave speeches right before the award was presented in front of the school. This was a big moment in the schools history, as it was the only school selected out of 1,002 other schools in the state of Indiana. Title 1 is designed to help students receive remedial education needed in core subjects. The support and emotion at the ceremony displayed the true significance of this award.

What's Coming Up?

1Student-Gavit-Oct-2017-02On the 18th of October, around 50 students will have the opportunity to attend the famous musical Hamilton. History and Government teacher Jeff Swisher won the tickets through an essay contest.

Alexander Hamilton was the first secretary of Treasury, co-writer of the federalist papers, a delegate to the Constitutional convention, and he aided George Washington during the revolutionary war. Alexander Hamilton shaped financial, political, and legal systems in the U.S.

The Hamilton play has been well received and provides a great moment opportunity for students to witness this play first hand. Luckily it correlates with some of the lessons in history class.

Also coming up for Gavit is the opportunity to attend the Purdue vs Nebraska football game/college visit provided by the East Side Council. It gives the students a chance to witness what it's like to be a college student showing their pride for the school. It also gives the students a chance to tour the Purdue West Lafayette campus, as many students plan on attending Purdue for college after high school.

Teacher Spotlight

1Student-Gavit-Oct-2017-03Michelle Biel Ondas was moved to tears Friday, September 29th as she was recognized as this year's “Up & Coming Influential Woman” in all of Northwest Indiana. Michelle was initially nominated for the field of Education, and at the annual award ceremony in late September; she was selected as the overall winner of this prestigious and exclusive award.

Ondas serves as the principal of Donald E. Gavit. During her time at Gavit, Michelle has dedicated herself to helping her students and staff achieve excellence academically. Due to her efforts, Gavit has won the State of Indiana Title 1 Distinguished School for Growth and Achievement Gap, as stated earlier in the article. Michelle was also named Middle School Principal of the year for Region 1.

After graduating from Saint John, Michelle continued her education at Bishop Noll Institute, and then Purdue University for undergrad and graduate degrees. She came by her commitment to the field of Education naturally, due to the outstanding example of her parents, Mark and Mary Lou Biel who were both educators in Hammond. Mark served as the long-time Principal of Franklin Elementary School in the Robertsdale section of Hammond. While Mary Lou spent the majority of her career teaching. We would be remiss if we neglected to also mention Michelle's siblings; Brian, Rich and Marjie who are also Saint John alumni who have gone to excel in their professional careers. The entire Biel family is proof of the good that comes from this family, and the apple didn't fall far from the tree with Michelle.

Student Spotlight

1Student-Gavit-Oct-2017-04At just the age of 12, the young Shamari Walker became interested in technology. The following year at the age of 13 Walker discovered programming. Now at 17, the teenager runs his own tech company.

Walker founded his one man tech company on November 9th, 2015. AscuniaTech creates software, hardware and websites for clients and offers tech support. To this date he has developed 7 window apps, 7 websites, 6 web apps, 3 android apps, and 2 iOS apps.

Success at a young age garnered the attention of the CEO of Technori, a monthly startup showcase in Chicago. With an average audience of 500 CEO’s, Shamari was invited to present his story on stage. He has been recognized by CEO’s from all over the country for his young success and efforts.

His most recent app is called Shoot Your Shot, a dating/social connection platform for School City of Hammond students. Students are given 30 messages to score a potential relationship or friendship with any student of their choice or by a random matching algorithm.

After high school Walker plans to pursue a Master's Degree in computer science from Harvard, Stanford, or MIT. He hopes to later work for Microsoft, Apple, or Google as a software developer/engineer.

“It's going to be hard in the beginning but it's worth it in the end. You're going to have doubts, and other people are going to doubt you, but never give up, says the young technician.