What's recently happened?
In the first week of August, Michigan City was splashing with the 15th annual Great Lakes Grand Prix.
With close to 70 boats racing from five continents, the Grand Prix offers a great venue for world-class boating. Michigan City residents and visitors packed the beach to catch a glimpse of the boats speeding by.
With an estimated 200,000 attendees, it was just a spectacle of boating; the race also boasted incredible musical entertainers, a parade, a block party, and great eats.
It wasn’t all play for Michigan City this summer, as Michigan City Area Schools (MCAS) welcomed its new superintendent Dr. Wendel McCollum.
A Michigan City grad himself, McCollum previously served as assistant superintendent, Michigan City High School (MCHS) principal, and social studies teacher.
MCAS welcomes McCollum into the role, and wishes Dr. Barbara Eason-Watkins, former superintendent, a restful and well-deserved retirement.
Gearing up to start the year, MCHS hosted its annual Freshmen Orientation on August 9.
Not only did it welcome the incoming Class of 2028, but MCHS also had a good showing of clubs and athletics as well.
Freshmen Orientation also included a panel of MCHS’s best and brightest. Featured panelists included Makenna Nowatzke, Adrian Holley, Madelyn Shinn, Alyssa Workman, Chase McMillon, Siniyah Burdine, and Gabriella Patino. They shared insights into all aspects of being a Wolf: academics, athletics, and beyond.
What's coming up?
MCHS Student Government will be hosting the first annual Student Leadership Summit in September of 2024.
MCHS will welcome neighboring school districts’ student councils and other high school leadership organizations to hear community leaders speak on a variety of leadership topics.
Notable speakers will include Michigan City Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch and La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody.
Michigan City’s Oktoberfest will be held August 30 through September 2, an event that rallies the community around German cultural celebration.
Although there will be multiple full bars featured throughout the venue, Oktoberfest is Labor Day fun for the whole family.
With an anticipated 40 live performers, plenty of great food vendors, art and crafts opportunities, and loads of great merchandise to browse, even little ones can have a great time.
On September 14, the La Porte County Solid Waste District will be collecting tires, electronics, appliances, shredding, styrofoam, cardboard and household hazardous waste materials. Dropoff will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the La Porte County Fairgrounds.
Michigan City Green Drinks will host Em Racine, an outreach and engagement coordinator with Save the Dunes, at its monthly meeting, September 5 at 6:30 p.m.
Racine recently held a plastic bag drive, to the fruit of a bench being created out of collected bags and film.
Community member spotlight:
Emily Blank is entering her senior year at MCHS swinging.
A varsity player on the MCHS Girls Golf team, Blank is known for her stoic excellence on the course, even if she can sometimes get frustrated. She says that her coaches help her work through some of the more challenging moments on the green.
“I love Drew Whiten because he always knows what to say when I’m about to throw my club into the nearest pond,” Blank said, “I love Justin Stevens because he’s just funny to talk to and very supportive.”
Currently playing at the number two varsity spot, Blank placed third individually at the Lady Wolves season opener, where she played against golfers from South Central High School, Marquette Catholic High School, and New Prairie High School.
Blank doesn’t only work it on the golf course, she also works on a golf course!
After four years at Pottawattomie Country Club, she is the golf cart staff’s most senior employee. Blank enjoys her job, and excels.
“I love working with Emily,” Sophia Barczak, a fellow Pottawattamie Country Club employee, said. “She’s really knowledgeable on the job, and great at making guests feel welcomed.”
Blank has a full plate with her athletics and employment, but she also finds time to give back to her community.
Like clockwork every Wednesday, Blank can be found, hard at work, volunteering with Reins of Life. Blank, an avid animal lover, has really enjoyed her work there, finding it very rewarding. She passionately encourages anyone able to get involved.
“It’s a great program, and they need volunteers!” Blank said.
Blank credits some of her success to her mom and dad, who can frequently be found carting around behind her at golf matches.
“My parents help to push me to my limits; they are very supportive. It has made a big difference in my life,” Blank said. “They help me to focus.”
Blank is looking toward the future, holding an ambition to attend the University of Arizona for environmental science.
A firecracker herself, she is interested in using her training to further work to stop forest fires or desert fires.
