What’s recently happened?
On October 12, a group of 10 seniors from Michigan City High School (MCHS) attended Michigan City Chamber of Commerce’s Inspiring Women’s Luncheon at Purdue University Northwest. At the event, students were able to connect with powerful women from the Region, as well as listen to an interesting fireside-style discussion featuring guest speaker Heather Ennis, the president and CEO of the Northwest Indiana Forum. The event discussed the impact of the Forum, the improvement of the Region, and the diversification of women in economics, STEM, and many other fields.
“It was inspiring to see so many successful businesswomen who have broken down boundaries to become who they are today,” Sophia Barczak, one of MCHS’s attendees, said.
On October 24, 10 seniors from MCHS attended the Ignite the Region Luncheon at Blue Chip Casino Hotel Spa. At the event, several keynote speakers discussed the economic development of Northwest Indiana, including Ennis and Governor Eric Holcomb. It was an inspiring afternoon for both Michigan City residents to host such a prestigious event and regional locals who came together to discuss their hopes for their home and the future.
On October 25, MCHS’s chapter of the National Honor Society inducted a group of brand new members to its organization. The ceremony featured speeches from Principal Kyle Dean and Superintendent Barbara Eason-Watkins as well as speakers and officers who were inducted to the group last year.
Senior Ashley Sparks recently received the honor of being accepted as a student apprentice in the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra as a member of the oboe section. After a rigorous application process, Sparks was chosen out of numerous candidates for her impressive capabilities as a musician as well as her quick-learning skills she intends to use to get the absolute most of the experience.
With the release of the Unity Foundation's Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship finalists, MCHS was proud to see two students on the list. Sparks and Tatiana Miller were chosen for their academic achievements, leadership in the school, and rigorous involvement. Now, they face a long and difficult interview process as they compete for a full ride to an Indiana college or university of their choice.
What’s coming up?
This weekend, MCHS’s Drama Club will perform its production of “Mamma Mia!” Leading the cast is Sparks as Donna Sheridan alongside senior Madison Gresham as Donna’s daughter, Sophie. Juniors Hannah Parker and Vivian Taylor will be playing Donna’s friends Rosie and Tonya, and Sophomore Zachary Dillard, Junior Ray Potter, and Freshmen Leo Becker will be playing Donna’s past flames, Sam, Harry, and Bill. The show is a fun-filled, ABBA-themed party that will be sure to warm your heart and get your feet moving. Make sure to make time to see the show, which will be performed on Friday, November 10 at 7 p.m., Saturday, November 11 at 7 p.m., and Sunday, November 12 at 2 p.m.
“The dads are the best characters, but, really, come see it,” Dillard joked.
On Thursday, November 9, MCHS’s Junior Reserves Officers Training Corps (JROTC) will be presenting its annual Veterans Day Program at 1:30 p.m. The event will be available to attend in person or watch via livestream, and it will feature the JROTC members, the choir, the band, and a guest speaker coming together to honor veterans from all wars.
MCHS will be hosting a Wall of Fame Open House on November 9 as well. The event provides an opportunity to see the renovated Wall of Fame that can be found in Heritage Hall. There will also be plenty of Rogers High School and Elston High School memorabilia.
Staff spotlight:
Arminda Anguiano is in her second year as a counselor at MCHS. A perhaps unexpected choice to her younger self, her experiences give her a unique perspective in her position.
“I went to school for psychology and then went into school counseling. I did my undergraduate at the AK Smith Career Center. While I was there, I had no idea exactly what I wanted to do,” Anguiano said. “To be honest, I think I met with my school counselor twice throughout my entire high school career.”
Anguiano definitely understands the way preparing for one’s future can be viewed.
“I didn’t have any idea what to do. Then, I met a counselor that inspired me to become a counselor. I liked the way she helped students, so I went to AK Smith, and now I’m here,” Anguiano said.
For Anguiano, this time of year is a very busy one.
“We have college applications. We dedicated a lot of this month to freshmen planning too,” Anguiano said.
While this period of her year is what many would recognize as the busiest, she has plenty coming up to keep her busy.
“We’ll continue meeting with freshmen, then we’ll meet with sophomores and juniors. We’ll meet with struggling students. We have eighth grade visits. We’ll start hearing about college applications, and helping students sign up to where they want to go.” Anguiano said.
The fact that Anguiano discovered her passion for counseling later in life allows her to notice parts of her career that need special appreciation.
“It's never the same day. I plan things, and it never goes the way I picture it happening. Living in the chaos of every day is so exciting. Of course, seeing kids do things that they don’t think they can do is always awesome,” Anguiano said.
Achieving things that are unexpected holds a special place in Anguiano’s heart.
“When I was in high school, I was an average student. I never thought I could get my master’s degree, and I did. That’s a thing I like to tell kids; I never thought I could do it, but I did.”
Anguiano remains a powerful role model and inspiration to all students who pass through her office.
Student spotlight:
Erin Piazzisi is a well known name at MCHS, most likely because of her involvement in every type of activity there is. One of her many dedications, National Honor Society, just held inductions. As the group’s president, she spent October 25 working hard for the incoming members.
“I tried my best to make sure I helped plan everything out well,” Piazzisi said.
As both a soon-to-graduate senior and a leader of the organization, Piazzisi knows she’ll eventually be handing off the club to those she just inducted.
“I know a good majority of them, and I know the type of people they are, which leads me to believe that the future of the National Honor Society is in excellent hands,” Piazzisi said.
Academia does not keep Piazzisi from having fun. A team member for two sports, she is the definition of working hard, then playing hard.
“I have been a varsity soccer player and diver since freshman year. I have played soccer for 14 years, so I definitely prefer soccer over diving, but I do enjoy both immensely,” Piazzisi said.
Not only is she able to enjoy the sports, she’s a great player as well. In fact, Piazzisi was recently named to Duneland Athletic Conference’s Fall 2023 All-Conference team for Girls Soccer.
“It makes me feel appreciated. Soccer season can be extremely rigorous, and the competition can be challenging, being that we are in one of the most demanding conferences in Indiana. Getting that kind of recognition solely based on my teammate's votes truly makes me happy,” Piazzisi said.
There’s one other part of her busy schedule that stands out alongside these other huge accomplishments, even more so to Piazzisi herself.
“Helping Hands is a club that has a massive place in my heart. It is a student-led philanthropy club I help lead with my friends. This club has been at MCHS for quite a while, but after the first leader left, the club started to diminish, which is when we stepped in and brought the club back to its feet. Our name is out there now, and it makes me so proud of how far we have come,” Piazzisi said.
The difficulty of any highly involved senior this time of year is the constant clash of their busy schedule with college applications and scholarship deadlines.
“This time of the year, also falling into the early action season, has been stressful and time-consuming. I can recount many times when I was thinking about answers to essay prompts in the middle of class, on the bus to games, and even in the shower. I just made sure applications were always on my mind, even in the most inconvenient times. Fom this, I would write down the little things I would think of, being that it was tough to sit down with my computer and write an entire essay,” Piazzisi said.
Despite the high stress nature of her schedule and the limited time she has to work on applications, PIazzisi is determined to go far with her future.
“I would love to get into all of the schools I have applied to, but that is just unrealistic. I would love to attend the University of Chicago, being that they will provide me with the best curriculum for my major, but it is very challenging,” Piazzisi said.
Whatever school she ends up attending, Piazzisi has a path she feels confident in following there.
“I plan to major in psychology. I want to take as many courses corresponding with that major as possible. My plan once I finish school is to step into a career that researches the brain and human behaviors. I want to make an impactful progression in that area,” Piazzisi said.
Piazzisi is a brilliant academic, strong athlete, and compassionate community member with so much more to come.