Student of the Month: Rashawn Mills
Senior Rashawn Mills is an honors student who is a varsity member of Advanced Choir, member of the National Honors Thespians, leader of Freshman Mentors, a member of National Honors Society, Vice President of Voices of Reason more outgoing and a member of Society of Student Authors.
“They’ve been places I’ve met many of my friends and that’s where I have spent a lot of time in high school,” Mills said. “They also help me come out of my shell and be more outgoing.”
Mills believes he is a well- rounded student who works hard to maintain a good GPA. His positive attitude and dedication resemble the same characteristics as his mother who motivates him.
“My inspiration would have to be my mother because despite the many challenges she faced in her life and the background she came from,” Mills said, “she still maintains to provide a goof life for her children.”
His favorite thing to do is to perform because that is the place where he is most comfortable.
“That’s the place where I am myself,” Mills said. “The people that surround me in the theater are the people I’m most comfortable around and the stage makes me feel great.”
Although he may have had a few setbacks this year, Mills received something that will benefit him for the next four years.
“My greatest accomplishment this year was all of the scholarships I received from the State Thespian Festival,” Mills said. “And I also received a full ride from the University of Indianapolis.”
“If you overcome certain obstacles, then you can be and do whatever you want,” Mills said.
MHS End of the Year Events
The annual Senior Student/Faculty Basketball game was on April 1 and many people thought this would be the year to beat the teachers but the students once again fell short for the twelfth year in a row.
“We tried our hardest, but the teachers were more experienced and way bigger than us,” Senior Student Coach Miracle Akins said.
At halftime of the basketball was the championship of the dodgeball game, also students versus students. The teachers ended up having two quick victories that day.
The Merrillville Band and Orchestra rode down to Orlando, Florida on April 3 to perform at Universal Studios on April 6.
This event was called Give Kids the World which was to give happiness to children who have fatal diseases with short life spans.
“It was a great learning experience,” Senior Drelen Williams said. “It taught me to enjoy life while you can and in great health.”
Joining Forces for Autism
On April 30, the Merrillville High School Chick-Fil-A (CFA) Leader Academy and the Town of Merrillville will be hosting an event to raise money for Autism Speaks Foundation.
“We felt sponsoring this event would give people in our community to become more familiar with their first responders,” Senior and Sponsor of CFA Leader Academy’s Promotion Team, Antonio Cornelius said. “And felt like teaming up with the Town Council would bring more community support in bringing our town together.”
All are welcomed to gather with the community and first responders in an effort to raise money for this foundation.
“People should participate in this event because it raises money for a good cause and allows first responders to develop a good relationship with the teenagers of the community,” Junior and Sponsor of CFA Leader Academy Morgan Brinker said.
There will be games, bouncy houses, and concessions for everyone to enjoy and the local police officers and firefighters will be participating as well.
A $1.00 donation per person would be greatly appreciated by the sponsors to support the foundation.
It will take place at the Pruzin Community Park, located at 5750 Tyler Pl. Merrillville, IN from 1 p.m.- 3p.m.
Teacher of the Month
Mrs. Debra Staffeld has been teaching geometry at Merrillville High School for nineteen years and in total, this is her twenty- sixth year. She previously taught at Beckman Junior High in Gary, Indiana and Lake Station High School in Lake Station.
“My favorite part of the day is being with high schoolers and interacting with the students,” Mrs. Staffeld said.
Mrs. Staffeld enjoys Merrillville High School for a number of reasons and there are some things that still seem to be difficult to her.
“There're so many opportunities like sports, theater, clubs and academic opportunity at Merrillville,” Mrs. Staffeld said. “But the hardest part to me would have to be motivating the students who don’t want to be here.”
She knew she was going to be in the teaching business since she was a little girl.
“I decided I wanted to be a teacher in second grade because I loved my second-grade teacher and I always told my parents I was going to be a teacher,” Mrs. Staffeld said.
She grew up in a small town located near Michigan State University.
“I’m a huge MSU Spartans fan and growing up I was not that into sports,” Mrs. Staffeld said. “But now that I’m married we watch most of the games together.”
Mrs. Staffeld has been married for 37 years and has had 3 successful kids who are grown and out of college. Mr. and Mrs. Staffeld enjoy going geocaching.
“It’s like an outdoor hide and seek,” Mrs. Staffeld said. “We like being outdoors and we like the challenges of finding things so we do those types of things together.”
Mrs. Staffeld enjoys teaching and spending time with her family. The students love her as a teacher as well.
“I like Mrs. Staffeld because even if you don’t understand it, you can come back later and she’ll explain,” Freshman Samaria Patrick said. “She’ll always give you positive feedback and constructive criticism.”