Students “Speaking Beautiful”
Recently, Dove has created a campaign called #SpeakBeautiful, in which they are trying to create a more positive atmosphere online by putting a stop to people posting hateful messages about themselves and others. This message hit LPHS English teacher Erin Parker and her El Pe yearbook staff hard, and they were inspired to create their own video supporting the campaign.
“I wanted girls not only to feel great about themselves but to also know their voice can make a difference,” Parker shared. “I am so proud of how it turned out and how others are responding to it.”
“Every single person involved in making this video just wants to make the people who watch it realize how truly amazing they are,” said Megan Berchem, the LPHS senior who filmed and edited the video.
After posting the video on Twitter, the students quickly received joyous replies from those who watched it, and they even received an impressed response from the Dove Company itself. This group of students is definitely going to be something to watch out for, as big things may soon be coming from these young advocates for kindness.
For more information on the Speak Beautiful campaign, click here!
Girl Reserves Shows What Dreams Are Made Of
Girl Reserves (GR), the longest-standing club at LPHS, is an all-girl community service group based on empowering women. Each year, the group hosts a “ladies’ choice” formal dinner dance, and the members must acquire a certain amount of community service hours throughout the year in order to attend. For their 89th year, sponsor Ingrid Voelker chose the theme “What Dreams Are Made Of” for the annual dance, held on Saturday, February 28 at Heston Hills Banquet Hall.
“Dreams are an important part of a person’s life goals,” explained Voelker. “If you can dream it, you can make it a reality. GR is about helping young women grow into strong, independent women.”
Besides hours spent on the dance floor, the dance included delicious dinners and desserts, lots of pictures, and whimsical decorations. The nineteen Cabinet members, Voelker, and parent aide Becky Mills were in charge of making centerpieces for each of the tables; these centerpieces were based on the ladies’ dreams, whether realistic or silly. The beautiful young women and handsome young men at the dance were able to experience a fun night filled with plenty of food, music, and smiling faces.
Valentine’s Day Fun
Valentine’s Day was held on a Saturday this year, but that did not stop the students of LPHS from partaking in the fun festivities. The Hi Times Newspaper staff sold “Happy Ads” for the February edition of the newspaper, a few classes held Valentine’s Day parties with snacks and elementary-style valentines, and the GR Cabinet girls sold carnations and delivered them to classes.
Junior Cabinet member Amie Decker shared, “It’s a fun and sweet way for the student body to get in the spirit of the holiday. Everyone seems to enjoy it, and I love seeing their faces when their boyfriend, girlfriend, best friend, or secret admirer sends them one! It’s something I’m glad to be a part of.”
The Show Choir Must Go On
On February 27 and March 1, the LPHS show choir put on performances of their first ever musical “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” The musical included twelve songs and fourteen skits based on the lives of the famous character Charlie Brown and his Peanut Gang. The group has been working extremely hard on it, in addition to all of the other choral pieces they have had to practice for the class, and they did not disappoint.
Senior show choir member Grace Hooley played the character Patty in the musical. She is thankful for all of the support she and the group has received from their families, their teacher and pianist Mr. Coe and Mrs. DeVries, and members of the community.
“The show went well, and the children loved the production,” Hooley said. “I am so proud of our show choir. All the hard work is finally paying off.”
UPCOMING EVENTS:
National Honor Society Induction
A select number of juniors and seniors have been chosen this year to become new additions to the LPHS chapter of National Honor Society, an organization based on scholarship, leadership, service, and character. The group currently consists of seniors who were inducted last year, and on March 17, the new members will be inducted. These new members are required to perform at least 25 hours of community service—juniors by spring of their senior year and seniors by the end of that year—as well as to help with club activities such as creating blankets for newborn babies in the hospitals. These students are leaders in their school and community, and it is a great honor to be inducted into the club.
Variety Show
March at La Porte High School is a month full of new classes, (hopefully) new, warmer weather, and new talent. This talent comes from the long-awaited annual variety show taking place on Friday, March 27. Students and teachers alike practice their performances all throughout the month of March in order to wow the audience that night. Talents all across the board are performed, including singing, dancing, instrumentals, and even skits. One of the crowd favorites of the night is the energetic teacher duo of Erin Parker and Brenda Cooper, and these two are already preparing their material to emcee the event for the third year in a row.
Teacher Shout Out: Johnna Krause
Spanish teacher and Foreign Language department head Señora Johnna Krause knows from personal experience the benefits of bilingualism. For this reason, she dedicates herself daily to the task of teaching teenagers how to understand, speak, and write in Spanish. She wants to prepare her students for their upcoming college years, not only for the Spanish courses that they may choose to take, but also for the work load and new experiences of cultural variety that life after graduation brings. Back in December she was named World Language Team Leader.
When she is not at school, Krause loves spending time with her family, running, and reading. She spends a lot of time with her two sons, whether it is traveling to soccer games and practices with them or just enjoying a relaxing weekend of movies and board games together.
Krause is a teacher who truly loves what she does. From the students to the staff and administration, she is grateful to be a member of the LPHS family, and she “can’t imagine teaching anywhere else.”
“I have enjoyed working with and getting to know hundreds of students,” she shared. “Even though I am the teacher in the classroom, I have learned so much from them and hope to continue that process for years to come. I feel blessed and thank God for the gifts in my life, because having a great job, family, and friends makes life a little easier.”
Student Shout Out: Brooke Baima
People who believe that they do not have the time in their busy schedules to perform acts of community service should learn a few tips from LPHS senior Brooke Baima. As a four-year Girl Reserves member, Baima has received the “Points Queen” award for her sophomore, junior, and senior years. This means that she has performed the most community service in her grade throughout the year for three years in a row.
Aside from her dedication to GR, Baima is also an active member in Spanish Club, Student Council, National Honor Society, Tri-M, Choir, and Show Choir at the school. Outside of school, she takes part in 4-H and Jr. Leaders. She has a very busy day-to-day schedule, but she still finds the time to perform countless hours of community service.
She shared, “I think it’s important to give back to the community when so many people in the community help you, and it just feels good to give back to people that help me.”
After graduation, Baima is headed to Anderson University to study biology and chemistry and then hopefully moving on to veterinarian school.