What’s recently happened:
Coming back from winter break can be tiring, especially with getting back into a routine. With winter break over, New Prairie High School (NPHS) is getting out of the chaos left after finals last semester.
Practices are up and running, a dance is on its way, and competitions (comps) are here.
NPHS' dance team is in their comp season with six different performances. hip-hop, pom, jazz, two solos featuring students, Ashlyn Masters and Olivia Carney, and one duet featuring Olivia Trojanowskii and Cydney Palmer.
They work hard every week to make sure their routines are perfect and are hoping to make it to state. NPHS' dance team has had two comps so far this year.
For their first comp, NPHS placed first in pom and second in hip-hop. At NPHS' second comp, they placed first in pom, second in jazz, and third in hip-hop. All of NPHS wishes them luck as they continue their comp season.
NPHS has a winter formal on Feb. 5. NPHS is also collecting old dance dresses and giving them to students who need one and then donating them.
New Carlisle and Olive Township Public Library hosted a new event on Jan. 15. They tested some TikTok cooking and life hacks. The event ended with games and snacks.
Winter break is now over and a new year is here. During winter break some students and staff stayed at home while others traveled during the 15-day break.
NPHS offers Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training, as those skills are useful in the least expecting times. Brilie Gaddis, a freshman at NPHS, stopped at a local gas station with her family. Gaddis did CPR for seven to eight minutes before first responders arrived, giving the victim the opportunity of survival.
“Being rescue ready means being willing to help, jumping into help, and doing whatever you can to help," said Science Teacher Tonya Aerts.
There have been approximately 60 students that have received CPR training this year.
On Jan.12, NPHS also had a 75-minute presentation on vaping.
NPHS swim team had their senior night recently. One of the highlights of that night is when Mason Young beat the 50-yard record. All seniors did great that night and will be missed by their team.
What's coming up:
NPHS theater program is ready for the spring play "Subtext" by Tyler Dwiggins. Subtext will be directed by Brianne Simmons.
Rehearsals will be starting soon. The cast is excited to put on a great show. The two leads, Maddie Humes and Quinn Sabie, can’t wait to start rehearsing their lines.
Show choir is also about to start competing against other show choirs in Indiana. For their first comp they will be traveling to Beach Grove.
Staff Spotlight:
Natalie Spevak is one of NPHS’ chemistry teachers and recently started teaching biology. She is a great teacher and will work with students when they need help.
“She was always there for me, and I appreciate her being there for me," Student Sarah Stachowski said.
Many students also appreciate the help she offers in and out of the classroom.
“Miss Spevak helped me tremendously when I was enrolled at NPHS. She's not only good at teaching, she's also good at understanding students from their perspective of learning. She is patient with others and honestly the best teacher I've had at New Prairie," said Past Student Laida Piecuch.
Spevak is very understanding and a great person to talk to. She may get off- topic sometimes while teaching but that’s what makes her fun to be around.
Spevak enjoys hot yoga and quilting. She told her students that she became a chemistry teacher after her college chemistry teacher said she would be good at it. There have been some ups and downs with teaching, but she almost always puts a smile on her students' faces.
Spevak mentioned towards the middle of the first quarter that this would probably be her last year teaching, but her students didn’t expect to hear that she would be leaving before the school year was over.
Spevak will be leaving NPHS Jan. 24 to go work at a nuclear power plant. She will very much be missed by her students and staff members.
Student Spotlight:
Dalton Anastos is a Junior at NPHS. His favorite part about school is seeing his friends.
This year’s achievement for him includes getting good grades all year round. Besides school he likes spending time with friends and playing golf.
Anastos is planning on going into a trade school or taking over his dad's business, which includes remodeling and even building houses.
Anastos is always seen having a good time and is considered a great friend. He is a bright student and NPHS is rooting for him.