What’s recently happened?
March was a busy month for extracurricular activities and events at Morgan Township High School (MTHS).
The MTHS band sent its Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) State qualifiers off to its State competition on March 1. One ensemble and three solos all earned gold. The soloists include Lucia Hensley for her clarinet solo, Aiden Musgrove for his trumpet solo, and Emma Short for her flute solo. The Abbring Clarinet Trio, made of Hensley, Dana Abbring, and Haley Prince, earned gold for their ensemble performance.
“It felt really good earning gold after all of the work we put into learning a new piece. It also made me realize that hard work really does pay off,” Prince said.
The MTHS DECA Club took its State Career and Development Conference (SCDC) qualifiers to Indianapolis from March 2-4. At SCDC, DECA members were able to compete for the privilege of attending the International Career and Development Conference (ICDC). Garret Stavitzke won fourth in his DECA event and will be able to attend ICDC this year.
Some of those same students also competed in the Academic Super Bowl invitationals that took place in March. The first was at Purdue University Northwest (PNW) on March 5. The Fine Arts team earned first place, the Math Team earned second place, and the Social Studies team earned third place. Overall, MTHS won first place at the competition.
“Our victory at PNW came as a surprise to me and my teammates, but the competition was very exhilarating, especially since we beat the larger schools,” said Addison Modglin, a member of the Fine Arts team.
The second competition was the Porter County Conference (PCC) invitational at Washington Township High School (WTHS). At the PCC invitational, the Social Studies team earned second place in a close competition against the various PCC schools.
What’s coming up?
The MTHS Academic Super Bowl teams haven’t finished their competitions quite yet. Their Regional competition will be at Wheeler High School on April 22 and will determine what teams will be able to attend the State competition.
April is an important time for the MTHS Track and Field teams. The Varsity Boys and Girls teams will compete in an invitational against Kouts High School and WTHS on April 15. Another invitational competition in April will be when both teams compete against Westville High School and Hebron High School on April 23. Both invitationals will take place at MTHS.
"I am excited to improve my times this year, and cheer on my teammates by doing pyramids during the two mile,” said Allison Beaver, a junior and member of the Girls Track and Field team.
However, April wouldn’t be complete with only sports and extracurricular activities. MTHS will be having its Prom on April 12 at Duneland Falls from 5:30-10 p.m. Prom Grand March will take place earlier in the day at MTHS, beginning at 4:30 p.m. This is where the Prom King and Queen will be announced. The theme for Prom this year will be “Tangled up in Prom” and feature a performance from Arrested Sounds at the venue.
“Students have a lot to look forward to at Prom this year: great food, fun dancing, and who doesn't love getting dressed up!” Art Teacher and Prom Advisor Shelby Braun said.
Staff spotlight:
Erin Taylor is a middle school and high school teacher at MTHS. She teaches sixth grade creative writing, AP Language and Composition, and eighth grade standard and basic English and Language Arts courses.
“From the time I was young, I had visions of teaching. I enjoy being present with students when they make connections and I love learning alongside them," Taylor said. “I have taught in many settings including homeschooling my own kids for many years, teaching in cooperatives, teaching in private school, and teaching at public school.”
Taylor is known to be involved in her classroom and with her students and she has worked at MTHS for four years. She is the Academic Super Bowl coordinator and the coach for both the English and Fine Arts teams. She enjoys the long but worthwhile competitions.
“I am excited to work through the true crime unit I will do with my AP students. We get to work on analyzing a podcast together. It’s really fun to watch them investigate and try to figure out the crime,” Taylor said. “I also enjoy helping my eighth graders put together a passion research project to culminate their middle school years during the fourth quarter.”
Taylor’s favorite part about MTHS is the small school atmosphere, which allows her to watch students grow from middle school to high school.
“I love that I was able to teach some students in seventh grade, watch them finish off middle school in eighth grade and now see them again as AP students. It has allowed me to enjoy a special relationship with some great students,” Taylor said.
Student spotlight:
Elysia Gast is a senior at MTHS. She is involved with the Future Farmers of America, National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Student Council, Academic Super Bowl, volunteer fire fighting, 4-H, vocational, EMT, and is on the cheer and dance teams.
“I enjoy watching and cheering for basketball. I used to play basketball when I was younger. Now I get to cheer and dance at the games,” Gast said. “My senior year season is coming to an end, but I have enjoyed every second of my years in this sport and I am grateful for the opportunities that it has brought me.”
In her junior year, Gast won All-Conference for Varsity Dance. She also was the valedictorian of her Fire and Rescue class that same year.
“My most memorable moment of my senior year was having the opportunity to go to Valparaiso University (VU) and cheering at one of their basketball games. I was able to meet VU’s dance and cheer coaches. I talked to them about going to VU and trying out for their team,” Gast said. “I hope to cheer in college, so having this experience meant a lot to me. I was able to cheer with my friends at this game, and had one of the most fun and energetic games of my high school career.”
After high school, Gast plans on attending VU to receive a nursing degree while continuing her work as a volunteer firefighter and attending events such as the Morgan Township Volunteer Fire Department Fish Fry.
“My favorite class would have to be my Fire and Rescue class that I took my junior year. I was able to meet so many people and make lifelong friendships while learning life skills that will push me to be a more independent and courageous person,” Gast said. “I am proud of my achievements in this vocational class and thankful for the opportunity to be mentored by some of the greatest people I know.”