What's Going on
La Porte High School is known for many things: academics, sports, and especially its wide variety of clubs. Stemming from Coloring Club to Anime Club, there is undoubtedly something for everyone. One club, in particular, has gone out of its way to not only better the school, but the community also: Girls Reserves (GR).
GR began 92 years ago and is now the only remaining one of its kind in the Midwest. Girls are encouraged to join from the moment they step foot into high school and are welcomed with open arms.
“We are treated like family from the first week. If I want to change, then I know that I can speak up and let my thoughts be known. Everyone is so caring and always supportive of each other. The club is really special for that,” Emily Miramontes, secretary of GR, said.
The aim of GR is to gain a certain amount of points for the year, earned through volunteer work that is posted by the GR sponsor. Each grade has a different amount of points to gain.
“I signed up for GR for an opportunity to meet other girls at La Porte and to acquire leadership skills,” Danielle Walsh, Vice President of GR, said.
Nearing early February, the club members are encouraged to gain their points in order to be able to attend the GR Dance, which is the ultimate goal for most of the girls involved.
“The dance is always really pretty with a fun environment. There’s no pressure to have a date, which is nice,” Walsh said.
One of the most significant tasks the GR girls complete is Operation Christmas Child. The project is required and has the members to fill a shoebox full of school supplies, cleaning products, toys, etc. The shoeboxes are sent to children around the world. Many of the girls enjoy the project as it makes them feel like they are changing the world, regardless of how small the gesture may seem.
“They [the boxes] go all around the world to children who are less fortunate. I enjoy knowing that somewhere a child will enjoy their Christmas,” Miramontes said.
GR has been around for nearly a century and does not seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Future generations of high school girls will continue to bring the life into this club and cherish the memories for it forever.
What's coming up
La Porte High School has several community-based clubs. While STAND club is small and may not have been around as long as some clubs, it still contributes to the community and spreads a positive message at the same time.
The aim of STAND Club is different for everyone involved, but the main purpose of the school is to stand up to drugs and bullying. The club members in previous years have participated in community activities such as the trick-or-treat at the high school, brought Christmas presents for kids whose families cannot afford them, and created posters around the school to stand up against negativity in all kinds of forms.
"We are a community-based club and we also love having new people. We have snacks and come up with new ideas weekly. Anyone that has ideas for projects or enjoys doing community service would love the club,” Kaelyn Leach, President of STAND Club, said.
One particular aspect of STAND Club is the activity the members do every winter. They tie scarves to trees on Lincolnway for those who cannot afford winter clothes. This has become a tradition that they continue to accomplish, regardless of changing sponsors and how the club is run.
“I think the purpose of STAND club is to be a club for students who want to do good. It is to do good for the community and also to be there for each other as a group,” Leach said. This year, STAND has obtained a new sponsor, Roberta Rice, one of the LPHS secretaries. She is just as excited as the students to continue to make the school a better place. STAND members are ready to tackle the school year with high hopes of accomplishing more than ever before.
Teacher Spotlight
One of the most interesting aspects of La Porte High School is its unique diversity all around. It gives all types of students the opportunity to learn subjects directly related to their career path, especially when it comes to language. Of the three languages that the high school offers, German is taught by Ms. Defauw.
Defauw attended Valparaiso University and received her Bachelor’s in English and Secondary Education, and then received her Master’s in German Education from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Throughout her seven years teaching, she has spent one year teaching English and the other six teaching German.
Her passion for teaching stemmed from the practice she had gotten as a kid, and as she grew older, began to take the career path seriously.
“I always wanted to be a teacher, even when I was a little kid. I really enjoy learning, and I like having the opportunity to help other people learn as well. In school, I would help my friends when they didn’t understand something in class, and I realized that I was good at explaining things in a way that other people could understand. So teaching was just a really natural fit for me,” Defauw said.
After teaching for so many years, she had found her calling. There are so many reasons for her doing what she does; the students, the enjoyment, and more.
“There are lots of things that I love about teaching. The first thing would have to be the relationships that I create with my students. Because I am the only German teacher at LPHS, I have some of my students for three or even all four years of their high school careers. It’s really cool getting to see them grow up and make decisions about what they’re going to do in the future,” Defauw said.
The German language is not a very common subject to teach, so when a person decides to do so, they already have an idea of what they are going to take from it. Defauw is one of those people.
“I also just love the atmosphere of being in the classroom. I love the German language and culture, so it is really fun for me to be surrounded by that every day and to be able to share it with my students. It is challenging to learn a new language, so I love seeing the accomplishments and improvements that my students make every day,” Defauw said.
She plans to continue her schooling further; however, and receive her Ph.D. in Educational Technology and Psychology. This will give her even more options for classes to teach, and will hopefully give her the opportunity to connect with even more students.
Defauw is respected by all of her students and has a connection with them that teachers rarely achieve. She makes sure her classroom has a positive atmosphere and is always willing to help in whatever way she can.
Student Spotlight
There are countless students at La Porte High School who are academically gifted or are involved in a large amount of clubs and sports. Each and every person has something special about them and uses it to their advantage. LPHS senior Emily Miramontes definitely stands out above all the rest with her extreme dedication and determination within the community.
Miramontes is involved in many things; Girl Reserves, Varsity Poms, and a National Honor Society.
She has been on the poms team since her sophomore year and since then has received the ‘Most Improved’ award two years in a row and ‘Outstanding Junior’ award. It has been a wild ride for Miramontes throughout her years of dance, but she would not trade them for the world.
“My favorite things about poms are performing and the team. Spending hours at games and practices really makes the team closer as a group. When you spend days practicing and perfecting routines, it pays off when you get to show off all the hard work the team has done,” Miramontes said.
Other than poms, Girl Reserves has also been an aspect of high school that she will cherish forever. As secretary, she is one of the top girls in the club and is looked up to in a positive light. She enjoys the connection between the girls and the motivation the club gives her to impact the community.
“My favorite part about GR is honestly helping the community. It sounds cheesy, but once you see how much of an effect you make in the community. There are events and people that rely on volunteer help and knowing that you made it possible makes you feel proud,” Miramontes said.
Miramontes is truly special in the way she holds herself and speaks out at school. She has learned everything thanks to her parents, who have held the title as the most inspiring people in her life. She hopes to have the courage and willpower that they do someday.
“The most influential people in my life are my parents. They both came from Mexico to the United States with no money, no job, and no English. But through years of hard work and dedication, they became hard working American citizens and raised three children. Seeing my parents accomplish this has really made an impact on me. I’m so proud of them,” Miramontes said.
While Miramontes has already done so much for herself, her family, the school, and for the community, she is just getting started.
“I plan on applying to in-state colleges and hope to get into Purdue University. I would like to study Spanish Education and one day hope to teach English in Mexico for some time. I’m not quite sure where I see myself in ten years, but hopefully I am making a difference and helping others,” Miramontes said.
Hopefully, future students at La Porte will take a few pointers from Miramontes when making their mark on the school and join in to make the community a better place. Regardless of whether they do or not, Miramontes will continue to inspire and truly make a significant impact on the people around her.