What's recently happened?
Taking up the entirety of the stage, students from Munster High School’s (MHS) beginning women’s choir, beginning men’s choir, intermediate choir, women’s after-school choir (S.O.N.G), men’s after-school choir (S.I.N.G), Chorale, band students, and the Wilbur Wright Middle School Honors Choir, looked to MHS Choir Director Luke McGinnis to give the starting cue to kick off their Festive Joy Holiday Concert Dec. 11.
The concert began with “Somewhere In My Memory,” the nostalgic tune of the classic holiday movie “Home Alone,” and ended with a performance of a Whitney Houston inspired arrangement of the well-known song “Joy to the World” alongside Grammy award-winning gospel musicians.
“This concert was like one we have never had before,” Senior Addison Dzurovcik said. “We have been working with outside bands and bringing in more emotion and movement into our traditional choir decorum. It gives a more enjoyable performance to watch when people look passionate about what they do.”
MHS Chorale has been performing for various events around the town:
- Town of Munster’s Light the Night (Dec. 1)
- St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church Christmas Social (Dec. 3)
- Jewish Federation of Northwest Indiana Hanukkah Luncheon (Dec. 6)
- Cancer Resource Centre’s Lights of Life (Dec. 6)
- St. Paul’s Lutheran Church & School (Dec. 8)
- St. Thomas More Elementary School (Dec. 8)
- St. Thomas More Catholic Church (Dec. 10)
- MHS Festive Joy Holiday Concert (Dec. 11)
- Munster Lions Club Dinner (Dec. 13)
- Frank H. Hammond Elementary Music Program (Dec. 14)
“We truly put a lot of behind the scenes work into our holiday season that no one sees,” Dzurovcik said. “All of the music was picked with purpose and meticulously rehearsed and picked apart.”
What's coming up?
Following the loss of three senior starters from last season, the Girls Basketball team has had to push through the challenges of change.
“Our record is at 8-3, but there is still always room for growth,” Head Coach DeAndre Williams said. “We are a young team, so the message is to make sure we're improving everyday.”
The next game for the team is on Dec. 20 against Hanover Central High School. The team is coming off of a 65-42 win against Illiana Christian High School on Dec. 13.
“I love speaking into my players' lives and celebrating their achievements and helping them discover their own answers,” Williams said. “I want to empower them to push forward and achieve their goals.”
Staff spotlight:
Cheering on from the sidelines while making sure the team is at their best, Seniors Brooke Lesina and Danielle Noisette are the two head varsity team managers for the MHS Girls Basketball team. They keep track of record books for all away games and freshman home games, they have first-aid on-hand, carry the coaches’ whiteboards, keep up with the Girls Basketball Instagram page, and post live game updates on the social media page.
“I try my best to show up, support, and handle things behind the scenes to make sure that neither the coaches nor the players have anything to worry about besides getting on the court and getting to work,” Noisette said.
As Noisette and Lesina help the team on the sidelines, they also try their best to form a connection with the players and team as a whole.
“We make sure to connect with all of the girls during practices, at school, and on team bonding trips or dinners,” Lesina said. “Connecting with the girls is important to me because, both on and off the court, they are great people. Forming these connections also lets us feel closer to the team and be able to help them better.”
Noisette finds that team bonding and that strong connection is an important asset that the team prides itself in.
“It is almost like there are 20 plus coaches,” Noisette said. “Everyone is always trying to help someone do better and succeed. There is never any hostility due to a mistake or wrongdoing, only love and great energy, and this something us team managers have greatly noted. The players talk to each other on and off the court, trying to help their teammates improve and foster their love for the sport.”
Although the season is still in progress, Lesina and Noisette have reflected on some memorable moments that have already occurred this season.
“My favorite memories so far have been winning our first home game against Andrean High School and going to Hobart High School with Danielle for a freshman game,” Lesina said. “These two nights are just examples of how fun this season is going to be and that we have a lot to look forward to.”
“On the day of our game against East Chicago High School, it was also our head coach's birthday,” Noisette said. “On top of winning the game, we celebrated the person who helped make the team possible. The vibes before and after that game were so good. I think we all really felt like we were a part of something amazing.”
Student spotlight:
Only a year apart, Caroline Wendlinger, freshman, follows in her sister Eleanor Wendlinger's footsteps when it comes to sports. When Caroline Wendlinger was 6 years old, she started playing softball because her sister played. Now, as she takes on her first year in high school, Caroline Wendlinger has been able to play alongside her sister on the basketball team.
“I love being able to go through the game together on the court with my sister,” Caroline Wendlinger said. “I feel like we have a good connection. Of course, we have little fights, but for the most part it is all love.”
For Caroline Wendlinger, transitioning from middle school to high school has been a great opportunity for her to grow and meet new people through both school and sports.
“Seeing upperclassmen everyday at school and interacting with so many people has been one of my favorite experiences,” Caroline Wendlinger said. “Then, the atmosphere of the basketball team has helped me grow as a player and a person. The coaching staff is great and builds an atmosphere that is really something special.”
Going into the second semester, Caroline Wendlinger looks forward to trying out for the MHS softball team in the spring. With her time on the basketball team, Caroline Wendlinger has greatly focused on her ability to be a good teammate no matter what sport.
“I hope to become the best teammate I can be,” Caroline Wendlinger said. “I really want to work on being a good team player. I want to help not only myself achieve my goals, but also help my team achieve our goals in any way I can.”
Both softball and basketball are very important to Caroline Wendlinger as they have been a part of her life since she was younger. She hopes to continue her passion into college as she plans on playing softball.
“I have put so much time and commitment into my sports, and I enjoy them so much,” Caroline Wendlinger said. “It also helps me maintain a good body and mindset for other aspects in my life.”