What’s recently happened?
The Hammond Academy of Science and Technology (HAST) recently had a career fair day to help juniors and seniors choose their pathway for their future careers. Staff at HAST found people from multiple career paths to set up a table and fill it with brochures and items that relate to their respective line of work.
“At first, I wasn’t really interested in the career fair to be honest, but once I got there, my best friends and I ended up going to every stand. I learned about a lot of careers, and I was very interested. I even signed up for a recruitment,” said Emalie Patino, a junior at HAST.
The career fair consisted of many people from different backgrounds. There was an attorney, police officer, boutique salon owner, photojournalist, marketing content strategist, data/business analyst, farmer, and more. The variety of professionals taking time out of their day to speak to students at HAST was inspirational and a memorable experience.
What’s coming up?
HAST’s Class of 2026 is proud to present its very first Nortena Dance on Friday, March 15. There will be a DJ, a live band, snacks, and a photobooth. The dance will begin at 7 p.m. in the HAST gymnasium.
“I think people will be shy to dance at first but everyone will eventually get comfortable. I think I’m more excited to get ready and choose an outfit than to actually go to the dance. As for dancing, I’m not amazing at it, but I know the basics and can learn just by watching others. I know for a fact that there's people going to the dance that can actually dance really well,” said Keyla Lopez, a freshman at HAST.
Join the Class of 2026 for a night filled with energetic music, cultured dances, and unforgettable memories. The tickets have been on sale at only $20 and will increase to $25 next week.
Staff spotlight:
Colin Brandon has been a teacher at HAST for three years and has only had good experiences during his time at the school. His first day at HAST is one he’ll never forget.
“The school was just coming back from virtual learning for a year, and I didnt know what to expect from students who had just been learning virtually for an entire year. That first day, everyone seemed a bit shell-shocked, and that will always stay with me,” he said.
Brandon has always known he would become a teacher. He claims to have known since high school that he would choose this career path since he had always been very passionate about doing his civic duty and wanted to instill that drive into his students.
“I think preparing my students to become contributing members of our democracy is the mandate of any social studies teacher,” he said. “I feel really passionate about that. It’s the reason I’d always known I would become a teacher and the part of my job that I enjoy most. My teaching style is to let students engage in the material on their own and once they understand those concepts of context realization and corroboration, it’s really fun to see them come to conclusions about history that they reached without me telling them the answer.”
During his free time, Brandon enjoys reading non-fiction books, writing, playing video games, and enjoys being outside in nature.
“I like to run now and bike. However, now that I like running so much, riding a bike isn’t the same. It feels too easy,” Brandon said.
Student spotlight:
Lyila Vega is a junior at HAST and has been attending since sixth grade. Vega goes to the Area Career Center (ACC) for early childhood education and is in an internship program to help entertain children.
“I absolutely adore children and babies. I knew what program I wanted to go into as soon as applications opened up for the ACC,” she said. “For my final in December, we had to take home a robot baby that had all the qualities a newborn baby would have. It was difficult, but it was an an experience I'll never forget.”
Vega is currently in the National Technical Honor Society at ACC as well as the Journalism and Yearbook Club. She has also been a part of volleyball and theatre. After high school, Vega plans to go to college and become a pediatrician. Her desire to help and care for children motivates her to do her best.
“I love the beach and hanging out with friends. Getting tan and later going out to eat with my best friends is my favorite thing to do in the summer,” Vega said. “I also enjoy hanging out with my family, as well as being in my room reading a romance novel eating snacks.”