What’s recently happened?
Hammond Academy of Science and Technology (HAST) is going all out for the Class of 2025 as fall sports hit the field.
“I love taking pictures of the soccer team. Cooperating with everyone and coming up with poses is so much fun. The past three years of high school are put behind us, and we all have the same goal of making these pictures come out exactly the way we want them,” said Saidah Ramos, a senior at HAST.
Seniors on the HAST soccer team all came together earlier this month at Wicker Park in Highland, Indiana.
“I was so glad we got the chance to have our senior pictures taken on an actual camera. Having the opportunity to take serious pictures like headshots and full body shots and then taking goofy pictures with all my friends was great. It was genuinely a fun experience. I’m grateful we got the chance to do that and have the memories,” said Michael Kalynasas, a senior at HAST.
The senior pictures were a huge hit with everyone involved with taking the pictures, and they will definitely be happening with all other sports teams at HAST.
What’s coming up?
Homecoming has finally arrived at HAST. The theme for the 2024 school year is Enchanted Forest.
“I love the theme this year. I think it was a great decision, and I am glad it was the favorite out of all the selections we had this year. I’m excited to see how the school will be decorated and how everyone will dress”, said Keyla Lopez, a sophomore at HAST.
Homecoming will be on September 21, 2024, from 7 to 10 p.m. in the HAST gymnasium. Tickets are on sale for $20 or can be purchased at the door for $25.
“I knew before it was announced that the theme would be Enchanted Forest because I kept emailing my dean asking what theme won. I was so happy when he told me it was Enchanted Forest. It was honestly the best option. I also love it because it’s easy to pick out a dress that’s going to match it. Any color picked can easily just be the color of a flower. I love it,” said Lyila Vega, a senior at HAST.
All guest permission slips for Homecoming need to be turned into the Dean's Office by Tuesday, September 17.
Staff spotlight:
Brandon Chambers has been an educator at HAST for 10 years.
“When I first started teaching in the United States – I started my career teaching abroad – I had four different schools that I interviewed with across the country. The school leader at the time gave an excellent tour of the facilities and was able to show how HAST functioned differently than traditional schools. The ideas of project-based learning and student-centered learning have always appealed to me because I believe that they make students more prepared for college and the workforce,” said Chambers.
At the beginning of his career, Chambers wasn’t looking to become an educator.
“Originally, I wanted to be an engineer. I loved learning about the subject and working on projects related to it. Once I started to learn outside of the classroom, I liked the subject less and less. Eventually, I came to the realization that it wasn’t the subject matter that I enjoyed but the classroom itself. I switched my major to education and haven’t looked back since,” said Chambers.
Chambers has kept busy during his 10 years at HAST, being involved in many different things. In his time as an educator, Chambers has taught Economics, Geography, AP History, Dual Credit Government, World History, and seventh-grade social studies.
“I think my favorite subjects are world history and economics but for very different reasons,” he said. “I find ancient civilizations fascinating and feel like there is a lot to explore and discuss when you look at different cultures through time. I love economics because it involves math. Math was the subject I performed best at in high school, so it’s refreshing to involve it in social studies.”
Outside of his teaching duties, Chambers is also active in school extracurriculars.
“Right now, I am a class sponsor for the graduating Class of 2027. I’ve hosted board game and card game clubs in the past, and I am currently working with some other staff members to introduce esports to HAST,” said Chambers.
During his free time, Chambers is a big fan of the Premier League, specifically Arsenal FC. He is also a huge card game enthusiast, traveling the country several times a year to play in tournaments.
Student spotlight:
Emalie Patino has been a student at HAST since the sixth grade and is now a senior.
“I don’t really remember a lot from the first day of sixth grade apart from being really nervous. I only knew a few other people, but I wasn’t really close with them. Thankfully, I met one of my best friends a few days later, and we’ve stuck together ever since,” said Patino.
Patino has kept busy during her time at HAST and plans to keep doing so after she graduates.
“One thing I regret from my first two years of high school is not being very involved. I was mainly focusing on my grades. Junior year, I decided to join Journalism Club, Yearbook Club, and theatre. I met a lot of new people from these activities and am glad I decided to step out of my comfort zone,” said Patino.
After high school, Patino plans on going to a university in Indiana and pursuing a career in sonography.
“Honestly, I’m still not sure what college I want to go to. Every time someone asks me that question, I get so nervous. In my head, I still have years before I even have to decide. Thinking about it now, I’ve always wanted to go into the medical field, specifically sonography. Healthcare fascinates me, and I know that it’s what I want to do for the rest of my life,” said Patino.
During her free time, Patino enjoys hanging out with friends, going out to eat, reading, or simply staying home on her phone or watching a movie.
“I recently got a job, so that’s where I find myself the most these days. Whenever I’m not at work, I’m either relaxing at home or out with my two best friends. I find myself looking forward to going to school now that I’m in my last year of high school,” said Patino.