What’s recently happened?
The upperclassman at La Porte High School (LPHS) faced off in the annual Powderpuff game. Powderpuff is a flag football game for senior and junior girls.
The game was refereed by Principal Scott Upp and Social Studies Teacher Daniel Jeffers. Jeffers helped coach the juniors, and Head Football Coach Austin Epple helped coach the seniors. Some senior football players helped the seniors with plays as well.
Though the football players were unable to be there for the game, Chloe Chezem was designated as coach and led her team to victory. The final score was 14-7 for the seniors.
“I really like Powderpuff because it gives us a chance to have fun and connect with the girls in our grade,” Chezem said. “It’s also super entertaining when the football boys coach us and try to teach us plays. It’s definitely one of my favorite things about Homecoming Week.”
To make the night more eventful and to hype up the crowd, some upperclassmen boys dressed in cheerleading uniforms and cheered the night away. They even learned how to stunt and fly.
What’s coming up?
LPHS is hosting the Fall Ball dance on November 4. The Student Council has been working hard to get the details and decorations put together. They have decided that the theme this year is “A Night Under the Stars.”
The dance starts at 7 p.m. and ends at 10 p.m. Students must bring their ticket and Student ID to enter. Tickets can be purchased from the main office for $20.
Wear your best semi-formal attire and dance the night away under the stars.
Staff spotlight:
Lindsey Brown is a shining star of a teacher at LPHS. She can be described as a lovely, empathetic, and bubbly person inside and outside of the classroom. She teaches English and has been for 10 years.
Brown started her college journey at Manchester University and then transferred to Purdue Northwest University. She got her teaching license at Indiana Wesleyan University and her master’s through National University.
Originally from LPHS, Brown has been heavily influenced by her previous teachers. They were her favorite part of school, and she knew she wanted to be a mentor for her students like her teachers were for her. Because of them, she loved learning and wanted to instill that same love in her own students.
Though she had an idea of becoming a teacher, she got a desk job instead. After a few years, she realized how much she loved school and that, if she got her teaching license, she could be there forever.
“I love that every day is different, and I love getting the chance to make a difference in a student's life. I want my students to feel proud of themselves for even the smallest of steps forward,” Brown said.
She especially loves when her students teach her something or have a new way of interpreting an old story that she has read hundreds of times. She also finds it very special when an old student comes back to say hi or lets her know how life has progressed for them.
Teaching old English can be difficult, especially for high schoolers, so Brown loves to find a creative twist to help students understand better. Brown ties in modern day events or things they may be experiencing in life so they can relate to a piece better.
Brown has been particularly busy this school year because she had a baby boy over the summer. Her happy place is anywhere near him.
“It hasn't been flawless, that's for sure. I've had to learn to create balance between my two lives. I was always that teacher who was constantly plugged in and working until all hours of the night. Now, with a small baby, I've had to learn when to leave work at work and be present in all of the moments that will go by quicker than I want them to. It is a never-ending learning process,” Brown said.
Outside of teaching and spending time with her family, Brown loves to sing. She even tried out multiple times for “American Idol” and “America’s Got Talent.”
Brown truly cares for all those she comes in contact with and hopes to make their day a little better.
“Be unapologetically yourself. You are the only you that the world will ever have, and the world is a better place because you are in it,” Brown said.
Student spotlight:
Carmen Becerra is a very special student at LPHS. She is an international student from the Canary Islands. Becerra applied for a well-known scholarship for international students. 11,000 people applied, but only 200 got accepted. Becerra was overjoyed to find out that she was chosen after the tedious application process.
“Before the trip started, I was counting the days to come here. During the first three days, I got to go to New York with some other exchange students. It was an amazing experience because I met people from all around the world while getting to know one of my favorite cities. Afterwards, I got to meet my host family and I couldn’t have been more excited. The perfect beginning made it really easy for me to start adapting, and I’m very grateful for it,” Becerra said.
Becerra loves sharing her culture and learning a new one in the process. Luckily, her host family has the same family dynamic that she has at home, so her home doesn’t feel too far away.
Though America has been a bit of a culture shock, she joined the LPHS Cheerleading team and has created some life-long memories.
“I’m a very sentimental and passionate person, and cheering and supporting a team that I didn’t even know has definitely made me feel more at home and part of the Slicer family,” Becerra said.
Back at home, Becerra loves to go to lunch with her dad, go on bike rides to hidden beaches, and read. When she gets to go see her sister in Madrid, they love to walk around other towns and volcanoes.
In her free time, Becerra can be found reading, swimming, or playing her ukulele. Becerra has a passion for music and is currently learning to play the piano.
Though she won’t be at LPHS forever, the La Porte community is grateful to have her for the time they do.