What’s recently happened?
Morgan Township High School (MTHS) finished the month of October strong in both sports and extracurriculars.
The MTHS choir and band teamed up with the Kouts High School and Washington Township High School (WTHS) choirs and bands at the East Porter County School Corporation Music Festival to deliver a rousing performance on October 16. This concert included several different songs and a tribute to the different branches of the military. The concert is annual and was hosted at MTHS this year.
The MTHS Spell Bowl team started its practices in October, and its first competition was on October 22. This competition was virtual and was a great practice opportunity for the team.
MTHS also had several fall sports competitions in October. The Girls Soccer team placed first in the Porter County Conference (PCC), while the Boys Soccer team had a fast-paced first round of Sectionals. The Girls Volleyball team won its first round of sectionals but unfortunately lost the second round.
“This year has been one of the overall best years for girls volleyball at MTHS because we won the PCC and Round Robin,” Cathryn Gulley, a sophomore on the varsity team, said.
What’s coming up?
The MTHS Spell Bowl team will have its district competition on November 4 at WTHS. This competition will decide which schools are able to go to the State competition, which will be hosted at Purdue University.
"Spell Bowl has been a lot of fun so far; as captain, it's been amazing working with so many bright underclassmen, and I can certainly say I've made many new friends,” Lucia Hensley, junior and captain of Spell Bowl, said. “I think Spell Bowl is pretty laid back, and it's also helped me with learning new vocabulary, which has been helpful for SAT preparation and writing. I can't wait for our district competition and potentially state if we qualify!"
However, the Spell Bowl district competition isn’t the only event in November. While fall sports at MTHS have ended, practices for winter sports have begun. Both Girls and Boys Basketball begin in November, and they will have games throughout the month.
The seniors on the MTHS Girls Basketball team include Josie Lemmons, Madi Lemmons, Vanessa Parsons, and Morgan Watson, and the seniors on the MTHS Boys Basketball team include Jett Gheaja, Aidan Johnson, Jacob Kolan, Brady Walters, and Mason Willingham.
The MTHS Girls Basketball team will be practicing throughout the month of November, working hard for hopefully another excellent season. The varsity team’s first game will be on November 5 against Knox High School at MTHS while the junior varsity team’s first game will be on November 2 at John Adams High School.
The MTHS Boys Basketball team will also be working hard during November with countless practices, the first official one being on November 11. The first game will be against Lowell High School on November 23, and the team will have a doubleheader game with the girls basketball team on November 30 against Victory Christian Academy.
Staff spotlight:
Amber Dippo has been a science teacher at MTHS for 21 years. She even completed a semester of her student teaching at MTHS under Science Teacher David Atwood. She currently teaches chemistry, integrated chemistry and physics, and AP Chemistry, but Dippo had also previously taught eighth grade science for 14 years.
“I advise the MTHS chapters of the National Honor Society and the Science Academic Super Bowl team,” Dippo said. “I love every activity I attend at MTHS because I generally know every single student.”
Dippo has always had a love for teaching and helping others understand different topics. Even throughout her years in college she helped her classmates, which influenced her decision to become a teacher. Her grandfather and great-uncle were also college professors, so science teachers were major role models for her growing up.
“I love seeing and hearing from MTHS graduates who have found success in the sciences. I feel like I am making a difference when they tell me that they felt well prepared for college chemistry,” Dippo said.
Dippo will have had nearly every student at MTHS go through her classes and knows the students by name. She is open to conversation, whether it be in the hallway or during her class, and she is adored by the student body. She cares deeply about her students and their achievements, and can be found at countless school events getting her favorite concession: a pretzel with cheese.
“To know that a student has finally mastered a piece of a song that was challenging them is heartwarming. To know that a student put in countless extra hours preparing for an academic competition and see them get a question right that others didn't is priceless,” Dippo said. “To know that a student finally took the leap and tried out for drama club and lit up the stage is unforgettable. To see an athlete set a new personal record after seeming to stay stagnant for weeks is momentous. I enjoy any activity where I can see Cherokees accomplish their goals.”
Student spotlight:
Jett Gheaja is a senior at MTHS. He is involved in Boys Varsity Basketball, Boys Varsity Baseball, Boys Varsity Volleyball, Student Council, Key Club, German Club, and Interact Club. He is also the 2025 class president, the National Honor Society vice president, and an officer in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
“I would say some of my greatest achievements in high school so far have been winning the PCC Boys Basketball Tournament, making all-conference for Boys Volleyball, and being the Semi-state runner-up in baseball,” Gheaja said.
Gheaja has attended MTHS since his freshman year and has been through multiple difficult classes. His favorites have included AP Language and Composition, AP Chemistry, and AP United States History.
“My favorite thing about MTHS is the opportunities that are afforded to everyone. Yes, it is true that bigger schools, in some ways, have more academic opportunities, such as a wider variety of classes to choose from. However, the academic experience at MTHS is very personal. The class sizes are small, and the teachers work tirelessly to cater to your individual needs and questions,” Gheaja said. “With athletics and clubs, everyone can join them because of the small size of our school. No one is left out unless they leave themselves out. There are so many opportunities to improve yourself in some way or another.”
Gheaja plans on attending Purdue University to study engineering for four years. He has not considered his exact engineering major but is considering aeronautical, mechanical, and civil engineering. After earning his engineering degree, Gheaja wants to attend law school and become a lawyer.
“First, if you want something, go chase it. I wish I had been less conservative and timid about taking risks. If you want to be the best on your team, practice more. If you want to get fit, work out. If you want to get straight A's, study more. Do what you want and do what makes you happy. Don't care what others will think of you, and achieve your goals,” Gheaja said. “Second, live in the moment. Everything goes by way faster than you think. So enjoy what you have, because sooner than you think, you won't have it anymore.”