Morgan Township High School (MTHS) was in a holiday mood for December. From the decorations to the various holiday-themed events, the school had gone all out.
Speaking of decorations, the MTHS Student Council (StuCo) has recently continued its long-lasting tradition of creating unique and Christmas-themed decor for every staff member’s door. Each member of the student council goes alone or partners up to bring holiday cheer to the hallways.
The Interact Club and Table-Top Gaming Club at MTHS have also celebrated at their annual Christmas parties, complete with games and food for their dedicated members. The Drama Club just had its middle school play on December 9 as well, which several high schoolers students directed.
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and StuCo have joined together to host a toy drive for MAKS, which helps children in need get toys for the holidays. The Key Club also hosted a drive for veterans who need help taking care of their pets through the VNA hospice. It’s called the Kibble Kitchen where you can donate cat and dog food.
The high school band and choir Christmas concerts took the stage as well, orchestrated by Band Teacher Darren Day and Choir Teacher Tammy Snyder respectively. These concert events allowed the band and choir students to show off their various talents and holiday songs to put listeners in the holiday spirit.
Of course, it wouldn’t be December without Homecoming and basketball. Homecoming week dress-up days took place the week of December 11. The favorites were Pajama Day and Adam Sandler Day. The homecoming dance was on December 16, and Adam Wasz, Peyton Honchar, Adam Holtz, and Josie Lemmons were crowned as the respective homecoming king, queen, prince, and princess.
On December 15, a pep rally was held before the high school boys’ game against Hebron High School took place. The game later that night was won by MTHS after a nail-biting finish. The run-through for the game was made by Visual Arts Teacher Shelby Braun and several of her freshman art students.
Due to the girls’ and boys’ successes on the court, both the Porter County Conference (PCC) cup and the keg are in MTHS’ possession.
After all this excitement students took finals for their first semester with winter break beginning on December 21.
What’s coming up?
This January, the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams continue their successful start to the season with more wins and games to come this month. The MTHS Gymnastics Club is also starting its season in competition. The two MTHS gymnasts are Camryn Smith and Emma Spears.
With the start of both a new semester and a new quarter, students at MTHS are ready to continue with their dedication to various academic, extracurricular, and school activities.
The Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) district competition is on January 13 at Ivy Tech. DECA members have been practicing for months and are looking forward to seeing their hard work pay off.
The high school drama club has also just started for the 2023-2024 school year, with its play “Dorothy in Wonderland.” This play will be a continuation of its “Wizard of Oz” themed play performed earlier this year in October.
It seems that 2024 will be a busy year for both MTHS’s students and staff, but it will be off to a great start in both sports and extracurriculars.
Staff spotlight:
Wes Bucher is MTHS’s new high school/middle school principal. He came to MTHS from South Central High School after previously teaching at MTHS for two and a half years from 2012-2015. Bucher is a welcome addition to MTHS’s wonderful staff.
“I enjoy working with the teachers and staff and how everyone is willing to help out. That’s powerful, and really important stuff,” Bucher said.
Bucher has organized two pep rallies since he took the job at MTHS, both filled with school spirit and excitement for upcoming sports events.
“The experiences that bring me closer to my Morgan family. Seeing people outside of a classroom,” Bucher said.
Bucher is an avid advocate of MTHS’s various sports and clubs, giving the go-ahead for a new Speech and Debate Club along with going to countless sports events. He’s a strong supporter of MTHS’s students and only wishes them the best.
“Learn a rhythm that’s going to promote success in the classroom, and learn the teacher's expectations,” Bucher said.
Student spotlight:
Adam Wasz is a senior at MTHS and is a big part of the school and the community. He’s involved in StuCo, Key Club, Porter County Career Center Culinary Program, 4-H, a mock-trial club, German Club, and Drama Club.
Wasz is highly involved in his school and was voted homecoming prince last year, along with being the most outstanding student for a quarter last year when he was a junior.
Wasz also won homecoming king this year, ending 2023 well. However, he was most excited about finishing up his senior year.
“I want to go into the culinary field and have been accepted into a few colleges, but it is not imperative for what I want to do,” Wasz said.
He also included that his favorite food at school was a classic, the chicken quesadilla.
Wasz, being a senior, has gone to MTHS for all four years of high school and says his favorite part of the school is the small size, so he can know everyone well.
“Be yourself and don’t be afraid of what others think because that’s when you have the most fun,” Wasz said.
Whether it be in pep rallies or on spirit days, Wasz brings Morgan cheer into all school events.
“Go big green!” Wasz said.