What recently happened?
The La Porte High School (LPHS) Choir hosted its inaugural “Friend Choir” event during the Choral Recital Night on Wednesday, February 19.
Students were encouraged to invite a friend from outside the school for an enjoyable sing-along evening. They assisted their friends in learning the music beforehand, and a rehearsal set the stage for a fantastic time as the expanded choir performed Bill Withers’ “Lean on Me,” followed by a pizza party.
LPHS Choir Director Tom Coe organized the event after being inspired by a Facebook post about a similar successful gathering.
“We usually have the seventh-grade choir perform with us, but that didn’t work out this year. We thought this would be a fun way to involve even more people and give them a taste of what being in a choir is like,” Coe said. “The reaction was positive. People enjoyed it, and we can’t wait to do this again.”
The choir will participate in the ISSMA Contest at Kankakee Valley High School on Saturday, April 12. The Spring Concert will also be held in the LPHS Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, May 21, at 7 p.m. For more information, please email tcoe@lpcsc.k12.in.us.
What’s coming up?
The Play for Jake Foundation will offer free preventative heart screenings for all high school students on March 20 and 21, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
During these screenings, students will have their weight, height, blood pressure, electrocardiogram (ECG), and echocardiogram (ECHO) measured. They will also receive education about the risks of sudden cardiac arrest in athletes.
Julie West founded the Play for Jake Foundation after her son, Jake, tragically passed away from cardiac arrest during a pre-game football practice at LPHS in 2013.
“I feel that parents should register their child for a heart screening because it’s crucial to understand their child’s heart condition,” West said. “Jake had no signs or symptoms of any issues and passed all his school and sports physicals, which gave me a false sense of security.
West continues her advocacy work in collaboration with the Zac Mago Foundation. They visit local schools to educate and raise awareness about protecting teenage hearts and the dangers of sudden cardiac arrest while organizing fundraising events for AEDs and heart screenings.
For more information and to sign up for a free heart screening, please visit preventativeheartscreening.as.me.
Staff spotlight:
LPHS Band Teacher Joe Clark inspires his students with a deep passion for music, empowering them to unlock their full musical potential in the classroom and beyond.
Clark has been teaching at LPHS for five years, instructing all levels of band classes, including Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Independent Study, Music History, Electronic Music, and Piano.
“I’m fortunate to teach something that I love, and I believe that enthusiasm rubs off on the students,” Clark said.
Clark creates an interactive music environment by bringing music to life through warm-up activities, sectional practices, and sharing interesting fun facts. He also patiently assists students who are struggling with specific pieces or musical concepts.
“I ensure that students feel confident asking for help,” Clark said. “I aim to connect with their interests and offer a diverse range of repertoire that appeals to everyone.”
In addition to his regular teaching duties, Clark is the Band Director for the La Porte High School Marching Band (LPMB) and leads the Clarinet Choir, Pit Orchestra, and Pep Band.
"It's a tremendously rewarding experience to witness students grow throughout marching band season and to see how the show concept evolves from an idea into reality," he said.
Originally from Massachusetts, Clark's interest in music began at the age of 6 when he asked his parents for piano lessons. Throughout high school, he participated in music lessons for clarinet and classical piano, served as the drum major in his high school marching band, and performed with local symphony orchestras.
“I'd always enjoyed helping my peers, so I had a vague idea for a while that I would enjoy being a teacher,” he said. “Near the end of my freshman year of high school, my high school band director told me he thought I'd make a good high school band director – and something clicked, and I knew that's what I wanted to do.”
Clark completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Rochester and the Eastman School of Music, where he triple-majored in mathematics, clarinet performance, and music education. He also formed a clarinet choir at Eastman. He then pursued his graduate studies at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, earning a Master's degree in Wind Band Conducting in 2019.
Clark is the principal clarinetist in the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra (LPCSO) and the La Porte City Band.
“Getting to perform with the LCSO is great fun,” he said. I never expected to land an orchestra job, but when the spot opened unexpectedly in fall 2021, I was ready to audition. I've made many friends in the ensemble, and it's always great to see them when we start a new concert cycle.”
Clark continues to inspire his students and brings a bright smile to the halls of LPHS, one note at a time.
"I believe that music has the power to unite us in a meaningful shared experience, bridging gaps that might otherwise remain unconnected," he said.
Student spotlight:
Embarking on a journey worldwide can be a profoundly life-changing experience filled with opportunities for personal growth and discovery. Traveling to new cultures and environments allows us to step outside our comfort zones, confront our assumptions, and gain fresh perspectives on life. Foreign exchange student Margarida Piedade has an incredible opportunity to spend her senior year as a LPHS Slicer, an experience she will cherish forever.
Piedade is from Lisbon, Portugal. She applied for the AFS Intercultural Program, which required her to submit extensive information about herself, her family, and her interests. She also had to undergo tests and attend orientation camps, where she participated in multiple activities. Eventually, she was selected by a host family, and the organization enrolled her at LPHS.
“I was nervous about coming to America,” Piedade said. “I knew it would be exciting for me because I had wanted to visit America since I was young, however, I worried I wouldn’t make any friends and would be homesick."
Piedade's arrival in America marked a new experience that contrasted sharply with her home culture. It introduced her to various new foods, customs, and forms of entertainment. However, she quickly adjusted to life as an American teenager.
“American culture is fascinating and sometimes different from Portuguese culture,” she said. “For example, the food and eating habits are different. I was used to having soup and then a main dish that always had a source of protein, often fish, with veggies or salad and rice or potatoes and fruit or another dessert after.”
Piedade is active on the cheerleading and track teams, forming friendships with her teammates. She has even met some students at LPHS from different counties who applied to the same organization as she did.
“It's wonderful to share that connection with these students,” she said. “I have learned about their cultures and hope to keep in touch with them after my time in America is over.”
Piedade is set to return home in June. After graduating, she wants to pursue a degree in economics at a university. Wherever her journey might take her, America will always remain in her heart, one memory at a time.
“These experiences have taught me several things. I learned to appreciate my parents more. I now understand that with liberty comes responsibility and how important it is to be free, have self and social responsibility, and be aware of yourself and others,” she said. “I understand my parents' trust in me and how the wings your parents give you can make you fly high.”