What’s Coming Up?
Munster heads into their final semester with a fresh outlook on upcoming activities. Winter sports start to wind down as spring callouts linger in the back of students’ minds. In the following month, Munster will host its annual Turnabout dance. The dance takes a twist on traditional proposals, with the girls asking the guys. All grades are invited to attend the dance in the MHS gymnasium February 17.
In the arts, Munster Choir will host the annual ISSMA Competition for solo and ensemble performers the weekend of the 27.
During the same weekend, Munster Theatre Company will travel to Indianapolis to compete in their own state competition, taking both actors and technicians to compete.
In the upcoming weeks, MTC will also be continuing in preparation for their winter show. You Can’t Take it With You is a comedy following a dysfunctional family in the 1930s. Performance nights are February 8 through the 11. Tickets can be bought at the door or online at munaud.org.
What’s Happened?
Munster High School has given great effort into creating a family environment for the students and staff of the building. All inhabitants of the high school rely on one another for support and encouragement, and, as Munster mourns a loss close to home, the support did not cease.
After a long battle with brain cancer, Munster High School Resource Officer Joe Pacheco passed away this January with the school and town on his side. The community had joined together over the past year to raise numerous dollars for Officer Pacheco’s treatment and family. While the grief still strikes the school today, students remember their superior and friend in the most positive way possible. Some students recall his morning greetings in the commons, while others are grateful that they were able to confide in him in a time of need.
Officer Pacheco ran the Munster Explorer program made up of individuals interested in law enforcement. The student explorers rode with Officer Pacheco’s precession, and they were not the only ones who came to show their support. During fifth hour on a snowy Wednesday afternoon, the entire Munster High School student body stood along Columbia Avenue to pay their respects.
“I have never seen this town, let alone the school, come together this much in my entire life,” one student remarked.
Officer Pacheco continues to be remembered throughout Munster, and his service and kindness will never be forgotten.
Student Spotlight
Senioritis: this self-diagnosable disease is all too real lately for the second semester seniors of Munster High School. However, Taylor Fishman finds the experience to be bittersweet. Fishman has been involved in a plethora of activities during her time at Munster from marching band to choir, and even occasionally playing in the orchestra.
“The worst part is definitely knowing that everything you do is essentially your last,” Fishman remarked, reflecting back on her accomplishments and success over the past four years.
Fishman advocates how much high school truly shapes students as people, and she is happy to have had such a unique, fun experience.
“I always think about my firsts in high school and how young, naïve, and immature I was. As a senior, I think I am more responsible and open-minded,” Fishman said.
MHS seniors have worked countless hours for the past four years to work their way up every ladder available to them. Seniors leave somewhat of a legacy behind, and it is up to them to determine what that legacy is.
“I hope that my name is remembered by the students of MHS for a positive reason,” Fishman said. “With countless hours and hard work put in, the legacy I leave behind can hopefully inspire others to take pride in their work and to really love what they’re doing, as their time in high school is more limited than they think.”
Teacher Spotlight
While old faces prepare to depart and begin their journey in the world in a few months, newcomers also reflect back on their year at Munster High School. Ms. Jill Wichert joined the Mustang team at the beginning of the school year and has since formed bonds, established herself as an assistant coach of the Speech and Debate team, and challenged herself through new experiences.
“It has been such a blessing to become part of the MHS staff. The students, staff, administration and community are incredible,” Wichert said.
As the study hall teacher, Wichert sees up to 700 students a day, but she has managed to get herself in the swing of things in only a semester.
“I hope to make a lasting impression on our school during these last four months of the year,” Wichert said.
As the final months begin, Wichert established her own goals to leave her legacy behind at Munster High School.
“I recently received my Indiana teaching license (already licensed in Illinois), so I am looking to add a few more certifications by the end of the school year. Additionally, I am also hoping to be able to teach summer school again,” Wichert said.