What’s Happened Recently - Cadet teaching during COVID-19
LaPorte High School is continuing its Cadet Teaching program throughout the 2020-21 school year in spite of COVID-19.
Each year, the elementary and middle schools receive a new group of seniors who want to teach cadet, and this year is no different. Each day during sixth and seventh hour, students report to their assigned school and teacher, which students usually choose themselves.
LPHS has 12 cadet teachers this school year: Olivia Voelker, Paige Conklin, Paige Maudlin, Maddyson Whiteman, Cheyenne Hlinovsky, Jamaal Salary, Halle Seaburg, Kiana Moyer, Melissa Osornio, Molly Reed, Carson Stalbaum, and Jeramiah Ruiz.
These students are often driven by their desires to become teachers, help children, and explore their options.
“I chose to do Cadet Teaching because I want to go into elementary education,” Voelker said. “Being in this program has taught me patience and how to understand students with different learning styles.”
Students enrolled in this program are taught how to become effective educators by delivering their own lessons, working one-on-one with students, and helping their classroom teacher ensure growth in all students.
LPHS is thankful for having students who are ready to make a difference in their communities.
What’s Coming Up - Key Club’s plans for November
LPHS’ Key Club has an exciting list of upcoming events for the month of November.
Key Club is a community service-based club, sponsored by english teacher Mrs. Welsh, where students can help out around La Porte through acts of kindness and volunteerism.
Next month, Key Club is going to be busy at work with helping out around town. Members will be monitoring the Sorg’s Wiffle Ball Fundraiser, hosting a donation-based fundraiser at LPHS, and volunteering in town.
Although Key Club already has an official roster, the group is always looking for new members. If a student is interested in joining, they can contact Mrs. Welsh via email or just attend a meeting in room J.14.
“The thing that makes Key Club so awesome is that the students are always choosing what we do. It’s all based around them. I never feel like I’m forcing anyone to do anything they don’t want to. Key Club is a group of students who genuinely want to help out,” Welsh said.
La Porte community members can take comfort in the fact that Key Club is here to help.
Student Spotlight - Jill Maudlin becomes National Merit Scholarship semifinalist
LPHS senior Jill Maudlin was recently named a semifinalist for the National Merit Scholarship.
The National Merit Scholarship is an extremely prestigious academic scholarship and is only awarded to those who make the top 1.25 percent of their PSAT score. 16,000 students nationwide were chosen as semifinalists.
“I was shocked. Making it this far in the competition is such an honor, and I’m so happy to be included among these incredible students,” Maudlin said.
Not only did Maudlin excel during the PSAT, but she also excels during school in general. Science is her favorite subject, and she has been to many science camps including Life Sciences residential camp at the University of Notre Dame, Molecular Medicine symposium in Indianapolis, and an online class about environmental ethics.
She also is a standout student at LPHS. Last spring, she started a homework hotline for students in need during the pandemic. She also participates in Spell Bowl, Science Olympiad, and Academic Super Bowl.
Maudlin is an extraordinary girl with incredible talents academically, and LPHS and hopes to see her name as a finalist for the National Merit Scholarship.
Teacher Spotlight - Biomedical courses made easy thanks to Tuholski
LPHS has had a biomedical program for students to take for a couple of years now; however, the 2020-21 school year is Mr. Tuholski’s first year teaching the interactive class.
Tuholski teaches two classes within this program, both of which are Project Lead The Way (PLTW) courses. These classes are Principles of Biomedical Science and Human Body Systems. Students must take the first class as a prerequisite for Human Body Systems.
In Principles of Biomedical Science, students gain a general understanding of different fields within biomedicine beyond just being a doctor. Currently, students in this course are learning about forensicsand crime scenes, including how blood splatters.
In Human Body Systems, students learn about anatomy and physiology. Recently, students taking this course have been dissecting sheep brains, and in the future, they will be dissecting cow eyes, leg bones, and livers.
Students are also learning the body system through interactive activities. For example, those taking this class are currently building a human skeleton and using clay to make organs, different regions of the brain, and flesh.
“If you’re interested in taking this class, you should be independent. Be prepared for interactive labs. It’s not a traditional class; I do very little lecturing. It’s mainly about learning through hands-on experiences. The transition might be difficult, but many students enjoy it,” Tuholski said.
This is Tuholski’s fourth year teaching at LPHS. Apart from these two courses, he also teaches Biology and AP Research.
Tuholski is a brilliant teacher since he is bothknowledgeable and passionate. Students who take his classes find themselves falling in love with the curriculum, even if science is not their favorite.
Students interested in taking these courses should be sure to sign up for them when course selections open up in the spring.