What’s recently happened?
“Will you be my Valentine?”
This February, the La Porte High School (LPHS) National Honor Society (NHS) organized a fundraiser by selling carnations with all proceeds going to Brickyard Healthcare in La Porte.
Brickyard provides short-term and long-term care for patients with rehabilitative needs, offering support ranging from occupational therapy to wound care.
NHS held several committee meetings to organize this fundraiser. Students bought carnations for $3 to foster a spirit of kindness and connection. This allowed students to express appreciation and affection for others while raising funds to support Brickyard.
“We preordered 600 flowers, and we sold around 450 flowers this year,” Angie LaRocco, NHS advisor, said. “NHS members help during the week by organizing the messages and prepping the flowers for delivery. It's a nice way to smile at someone with a simple gesture.”
NHA has been actively involved in several community activities, such as the Athletic Trick-or-Treat Event, ringing bells for the Salvation Army, providing meals at The Pax Center, and supporting local elementary schools. NHS inducted junior members earlier this year, enabling them to participate during their junior and senior years. To qualify, students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5 and complete 25 hours of community service each year.
What’s coming up?
“On Wednesdays, we wear pink.”
LPHS Performing Arts is excited to present its spring production, “Mean Girls,” at the LPHS Performing Arts Center (PAC) in March.
Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors aged 60 and older, available at the PAC entrance. Showtimes are at 6 p.m. on Friday, Mar. 14, and 1 and 6 p.m. on Mar. 15.
This production is a musical adaptation of the 2004 movie "Mean Girls," written for both the film and its stage adaptation by former Saturday Night Live cast member Tina Fey.
Students have been preparing and working hard since early January, spending countless hours on vocals, blocking scenes, learning choreography, and getting ready for opening night to let their hard work shine.
“I love working alongside these incredible and talented people,” Senior Kairah Ohime, who will play Mrs. George, said. “We have a great production and can’t wait for the public to watch this spectacle.”
All proceeds from the show will benefit the La Porte Music Club. Please email shanson@lpcsc.k12.in.us for more information.
Staff spotlight:
A coach can be more than just a coach. They are cheerleaders who empower their athletes every step of the way and encourage them to push their limits, whether running the extra mile, shaving seconds off their swim time, or overcoming personal obstacles.
LPHS Girls Track Coach Stephanie Lewis embodies this principle. Through personalized guidance and an unwavering belief in her athletes' potential, she helps them strive to be their best versions, fostering skill development, resilience, and confidence in sports and life.
"I love being a track coach and empowering the incredible athletes and individuals they have the potential to become," Lewis said. "When the girls come together, each different in their way, it fills me with pride and a sense of accomplishment."
Since 2015, Lewis has empowered her athletes as the Girls Track coach. At the beginning of each season, her mission is to promote inclusivity, recognizing that a sport like track demands stamina and determination. She delivers pep talks to athletes who may feel overwhelmed and unsure, helping them to become determined to push their limits and race to the finish line.
“When my athletes start feeling overwhelmed, I make sure they know they’ve got a safe space to talk things through with no judgment,” she said. “I remind them that mistakes are part of the journey and that we go through tough moments. I help them manage the pressure they put on themselves by encouraging them, giving them perspective, and sharing some tools to handle stress. It aims to show them that setbacks are just chances to grow and become stronger.”
Lewis attributes her success in coaching the Girls Track team to her four assistant coaches: Lauren Anglin, Courtney Dickman, Melissa Redlin, and Angie Anglin, who have cheered alongside her and empowered their athletes.
“They are all strong, talented, and confident women with a lot of background and experience in track and field. I couldn’t make it through without them,” Lewis said.
Lewis didn’t initially plan on a career in coaching; her priority was being a mother. It wasn’t until 2015 when Corbin Slater, the head coach of Girls Track, encouraged Lewis to coach the throwing events, as she had held the school record in high school that she took on coaching. With support and encouragement from her family, she decided to embrace this new challenge.
“I honestly never considered it until Mr. Slater reached out,” she said. “A couple of years later, I started working at the high school as the strength and conditioning assistant. From there, I returned to school to earn my teaching degree, and here I am.”
Lewis has been working and coaching full-time at LPHS since 2021, teaching Physical Education II and Fitness and Conditioning. Next year, she will coach Girls Strength and Conditioning and Dynamic Fitness. Just like with her track girls, Lewis strives to empower her students in the best way possible.
“In my PE class, I like to give the students a chance to pick their activity or have a part in deciding what to do,” she said. “This makes them feel like a part of the process, which they find much more fun and rewarding. In my conditioning class, I try to keep students engaged with high-energy workouts like obstacle courses, partner exercises, and interval training.”
Lewis exemplifies what the La Porte Slicers are all about: empowering students to reach their fullest potential, one lap at a time.
Student spotlight:
LPHS Senior Emily Hunt is excited about her final encore performance with LPHS Performing Arts, playing Ms. Norbury in the upcoming spring production of "Mean Girls."
“This role is extremely special to me because Ms. Norbury is played by the famous actress Tina Fey in the movie, and she is also the one who wrote both the ‘Mean Girls’ movie and the musical script. It’s an honor to be able to fill in her footsteps with this character,” Hunt said.
Hunt is excited as she prepares to share the stage with her castmates for the final time. With each performance, she strives to empower her fellow actors by showcasing her talents and inspiring them to push their limits. As they take their bows together, Hunt encourages her castmates to embrace the moment and give their all, fostering a sense of camaraderie that willmake their final show unforgettable.
“My favorite part about the production is the message that we are spreading with the show, and that message is always to be yourself and to value the gift of friendship over the opinion of others,” she said. “I empower my castmates by always having a positive attitude towards any situation, including the rough and stressful parts of putting together any part of a show. I also tell all of my castmates in any show or production not to be afraid to ask me for help, whether memorizing lines, choreography questions, singing tips, or learning more about theatre in general.”
Hunt has appeared in six other productions at LPHS, including as Fairy Godmother in "Shrek the Musical;” Susan Hollister in "The Murder Room;” Princess Winnifred in "Once Upon a Mattress;” Miss Finch in "Get Smart;” Dreamer #2 in "Little Shop of Horrors"; and Mary Bailey in "It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play."
“I cannot begin to tell you how grateful I am for all the support I get from my family, friends, and directors,” Hunt said. “They always make me feel so happy and special! I am also incredibly grateful for my mom and dad for supporting me and for how they push and challenge me to be the best student and person I can be.”
However, this hasn't always been an easy ride for Hunt. Juggling academics and productions can be challenging, and nerves before opening night are also difficult, yet every time, she feels empowered to ask for advice to perfect her roles.
“One of the biggest tips I got from the directors at the high school was not only to start acting more like any characters I play but also start thinking like them,” she said. “I usually research any character or role I play to get any voices, attitudes, or body language down.”
Hunt plans to attend Ball State University in the fall to study entertainment and sports communications while continuing her passion for theatre and film.
Wherever life takes her, Hunt will continue to empower others and share her passion with the world, one performance at a time.