What’s recently happened?
The Hobart High School (HHS) junior and senior classes celebrated their prom on May 11 at Saint Elijah’s Banquet Hall. The night proved to be a success, with students enjoying the formal event filled with food, dancing, and a chance to capture some memorable moments at the picture booths. The Student Council worked tirelessly to create an elegant atmosphere with flower crowns, small snacks, and stunning centerpieces at each table. Their work truly made it a night to remember for everyone in attendance.
“I was so lucky for this year to have been my senior Prom! It was an absolute blast,” said Senior Addy Black.
The top 15 students from the Class of 2024 were honored in a special ceremony, highlighting their academic achievements from the past four years. The attendees at the exclusive event were moved by heartfelt speeches from both teachers and students, highlighting the hard work and dedication that led to these students’ impressive academic abilities. This recognition not only celebrated their success from their HHS careers, but also what they will have to offer in the future from being such outstanding individuals.
“After these past few years of studying, countless assignments, and difficult tests, I am proud to say that all of our hard work has truly paid off,” said Senior Mackenzie Eberle.
HHS Track and Field are thrilled to have Junior Willy Shearer on their team, as he can be seen making headlines throughout Northwest Indiana (NWI). Shearer is ending the season on a high note, securing first place in both the 100-meter and 400-meter races at regionals. His incredible running capabilities landed him a spot at the state championships, where he will represent all of HHS. His dedication through the season proved to have paid off, and community members are on the edge of their seats as they await to see his stellar performance.
What’s coming up?
With summer quickly approaching, HHS students are eagerly anticipating a break from their studies and looking forward to enjoying some well-deserved relaxation and fun in the sun.
“After spending the school year studying and doing homework, I plan on taking this summer to go to the beach, shop, and hang out with all my friends,” said Junior Natalie Hostetler.
Many students have their own plans for this summer. Some are gearing up for family vacations to explore new places. Others may be excited about attending summer camps, whether it’s sports, arts, or adventure activities. No matter the activity, teachers and students are looking forward to the extra free time before next school year.
For students attending summer school, the dates for session one are June 10-27 and session two which is July 8-25. Classes take place Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., giving students the opportunity to get ahead or catch up on credits while still having plenty of time to enjoy their afternoons and weekends.
Seniors have a particularly exciting schedule ahead. They will be walking the stage on June 2, with the graduation ceremony taking place at the BrickYard at 6:00 p.m. The event is open to everyone allowing for all family and friends to watch as their student receives their hard-earned diploma.
There are still many senior activities to look forward to, such as a walk-through of all Hobart District schools, where the graduates have the opportunity to reconnect with past teachers, and give younger students an exciting look for what's to come in the future.
Additionally, seniors can relive their elementary school days by participating in a fun-filled field day. Following that, there will be a senior picnic and graduation rehearsal. The day before graduation, seniors will gather to watch the sunset, ending their final day together as the HHS Class of 2024.
For students like Hostetler, the summer break is a time to recharge and create lasting memories.
Staff spotlight:
Eden Alexander teaches Project Lead the Way, Principles of Biomedical Science, Advanced Placement Biology, and Honors Biology at HHS. With her firm belief in the power of education along with hands-on learning, Alexander also co-sponsors HOSA, a club dedicated to future medical professionals. This year with the help of her guidance, HOSA members proudly participated in a state competition, showcasing the skills they have formed throughout the year.
“This club provides members with service hours and valuable insights into medical careers,” said Alexander.
Alexander had no intention of becoming an educator when she first entered college. She originally attended medical school where she majored in biology with a minor in psychology. However, the summer before Alexander’s senior year, her father passed away due to cancer. After being exposed to that side of the medical field, she was quickly disinterested in pursuing medicine. After some thought, Alexander decided to complete her bachelor’s degree and turned to a career that still gave her purpose and allowed for her skills to still be used.
“Teaching checked all those boxes. It gave me a purpose, allowed me to make a difference, and still give me a life outside of work,” said Alexander.
Alexander earned her undergraduate degree from Indiana University Northwest and her teaching certification and master’s degree from the American College of Education.
Additionally, Alexander is a strong advocate for exploring diverse interests, encouraging students to try different electives in high school before committing to them in college. She believes that high school is the perfect time for students to experiment with various subjects and activities, as it provides a risk-free environment to discover what truly excites and motivates them. Alexander also shares that it allows them to make more informed decisions about their future, which leads to greater satisfaction and success in their academic and professional lives.
“Just try things and explore different aspects about yourself and who you are. It’s never a bad thing to be open to change,” said Alexander.
Outside of school, Alexander enjoys spending time with her family and dog, Georgia. Both Georgia, a 9-year-old Boxer-Lab mix, and Alexander go on various outdoor adventures, such as going to the beach or even hiking.
Student spotlight:
Senior Trent Brown just completed his final week at HHS and is ready to deliver his valedictorian speech at the Class of 2024 graduation. With an impressive cumulative GPA of 4.859, Brown has not only worked his way to the top of his class but managed to excel in athletics and pursue hobbies outside of school.
During his freshman year, Brown’s interest in the science and engineering field was piqued after taking the Intro to Engineering course. This initial spark led him to further his learning experience into the STEM field. Brown challenged himself by taking on a variety of challenging courses, such as Advanced Placement Chemistry, Geometry, and Calculus.
“Through HHS, I earned both my High School Honors Diploma and an Associates Degree. I’ll be attending school at Auburn University down in Alabama. I’ll be studying chemical engineering which is a field that has fascinated me over these past few years,” said Brown.
As far as clubs go, Brown was the President of Yohan’s Army. Here he played a crucial role in boosting school spirit by creating posts about upcoming athletic events, organizing theme polls, and promoting enthusiasm across the student body.
“I’ve played football all four years alongside some great friends. During the spring seasons I played baseball freshman and sophomore year, until I took the opportunity to join Unified Track for my remaining two years left at HHS,” said Brown.
Brown’s dedication to academics and community service earned him a spot in the National Honor Society, where he actively participated in numerous service projects. He has also been a committed member of the Academic Super Bowl team, showcasing his intellectual ability in different competitions.
Throughout his time at HHS, Brown has earned a wide range of academic awards and achievements. Being recognized as a Rising Star by the Indiana Association of School Principals, his GPA placed him among the top four students in the 2024 Class. In his senior year, he was selected to receive the ISAP Academic All Star Honoree Award and was a regional honoree for NWI.
“As far as scholarships go, I’ve gotten two through Auburn: one Merit Scholarship and one Chemical Engineering Departmental scholarship. Then, I was honored with an award and scholarship from the Indiana School Teachers Association,” said Brown.
While his academics are important, Brown also enjoys time for friends and hobbies. During the midst of quarantine, he began playing guitar to pass the time being stuck at home. This new skill quickly evolved into playing lead guitar in a band called Hangnail with some friends. Together, they have performed at several locations, showcasing their talented group.
“I also really enjoy anything outdoors. It could be fishing, hiking, kayaking, and even just hanging out with my family. I live on the lake so I try to get out there whenever the weather permits,” said Brown.
As he looks forward to his final summer before college, Brown plans to balance his job with spending some quality time with his friends.
“It is definitely an honor graduating with this title, and I feel that its greatest benefit has been the satisfaction and reassurance that all the work that I have put in leading up to this point has paid off. I am more relieved than anything because I have proven to myself that I am able to perform efficiently amongst a class of many talented individuals,” said Brown.