What recently happened?
Lights, camera, homecoming!
LaPorte High School (LPHS) wrapped up Homecoming Week by crowning the Homecoming Court winners during halftime of the home football game against Crown Point High School at Kiwanis Field on Friday, Oct. 4.
Drew Bush and Mia Mendoza were crowned King and Queen. The first runners-up were Maddie Lower and Charles Tonagel. The second runners-up were Emilio Gonzalez and Susan Anglin.
Student Council organized Spirit Days throughout homecoming week to encourage student participation. On Friday, the day of the football game, the council planned a school-wide pep rally to honor the 40 homecoming candidates from 26 different clubs and a homecoming parade, including a float contest before the game.
“We work hard to coordinate fun homecoming events each year for our Slicer students,” Angela Lowry, LPHS English teacher and Student Council advisor said. "We spent many hours brainstorming, planning, preparing, and finally putting on these events. We are proud to represent LPHS in this way.”
Student Council was unable to organize a Homecoming Dance due to budget constraints and time limitations. Instead, it will present a Fall Ball titled "Let's Glow Crazy," which will be held in the main cafeteria from 7 to 10 p.m. on Nov. 9. Tickets are available in the front office.
Email alowry@lpcsc.k12.in.us for more information on the Fall Ball.
What’s coming up?
LPHS will host its annual "Trick or Treat for Special Olympics" in the main and small gyms from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24.
The event, open to the public, costs $5 per child. Families can expect a night of games, candy, music, and fun while displaying their creative Halloween costumes.
The tradition began in 2014 through the Student Athletic Council, part of the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA)’s Champions Together Program, which promotes leadership and special inclusion through unified sports.
“As part of the Champions Together Program, the Student Athletic Council has to raise $1,500 for Special Olympics Indiana,” LPHS Athletic Director Steve Santana said. “This event has raised that amount and then some every year. Last year, they raised $3,000. They have raised as much as $4,000 in the past. It has been a very successful event.”
Many LPHS sports, clubs, and extracurricular activities will participate in the event, including Cheerleading, Dance, Girls' Reserves, Spanish Club, Art Club, Rotary Interact Club, Student Council, Tri-M, Math Department, American Sign Language (ASL) Honor Society, Key Club, National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, and Bowling.
All proceeds go to Special Olympics Indiana. Email ssantana@lpcsc.k12.in.us for more information.
Staff spotlight:
Psychology Teacher Daniel Jeffers creates a positive, interactive learning environment for his students by bringing the subject to life through hands-on activities and real-world examples.
Jeffers has been teaching at LPHS for 24 years. He teaches on-level Psychology, AP Psychology, and Indiana Studies.
“My teaching style integrates discussion, instruction, participation, and exploration,” he said. “We can talk about something all day long, but I have found students can build a real connection to the content by experiencing things firsthand through labs, activities, and other projects. The content becomes more meaningful and retained this way.”
Jeffers creates labs that implement concepts of psychology learning: sensation, perception, problem-solving, functional fixedness, memory, stress, and learning. These labs feature fun experiments such as reflex games, balance and coordination tests, as well as mind and illusion games.
“I often make minor changes each year to improve the labs, making them more engaging, and focus on specific elements of the content we are covering to increase overall engagement,” he said.
Jeffers is committed to ensuring his students understand difficult content. To achieve this, he analyzes data from recent quizzes and tests to identify topics his students have not yet mastered. He then dedicates additional time to reteaching these specific topics to equip his students with the skills and knowledge needed to understand the concepts.
"I hope students have a positive experience in my class because 'learning is fun,' especially in psychology with so many real-world applications,” he said. “My focus is less on their grades, but more on their education and building a depth of knowledge they can take when they go."
Jeffers is also the head coach of the Boys' Track and Field team. Since taking on the role in 2021, his leadership has empowered the team to break four school records, achieve multiple sectional and regional individual championships, and secure the school's first regional title. Last year, the track team finished in the Top 25 at the State Track and Field Finals.
“My greatest moments as a coach are very similar to my students in the classroom: when my athletes can accomplish something they didn't think was possible,” he said
In high school, Jeffers was inspired by teachers who gave him the skills to succeed and aspired to become an educator. He graduated from LPHS in 1997 and attended Indiana University, majoring in Secondary Education.
Jeffers will continue to empower students with fun activities and a love of learning, which will increase their dedication, one lab at a time.
Student spotlight:
LPHS Sophomore Molly Cooper captivates audiences with a graceful voice and an enchanting stage presence. With an unwavering love for music, she pours her soul into every note she sings, creating an unforgettable experience.
Cooper discovered her passion for music at 3 years old, sparking an incredible journey of music and dance. She has mastered multiple instruments, including the piano, guitar, and ukulele. She performs at Works in Motion Dance Company, honing her skills in ballet, jazz, lyrical, and pointe performances.
“I have been singing and dancing for as long as I can remember,” she said. “My mom is a singer, and we have many carpool karaoke sessions. She's helped and supported me throughout my journey, and I can’t thank her enough.”
Cooper is an active member of the LPHS choir, singing in Advanced Treble Chorus and Show Choir. She also is involved in high school theater, having performed in "Get Smart" in 2023 and portrayed Chiffon in "Little Shop of Horrors" in 2024.
"I have formed many friendships through the high school theater group because we spend so much time together," she said. "It's surprising that we don't get tired of each other by the end of it. Some of these friendships will stay with me forever, and I'm incredibly grateful for the theater community."
Cooper has participated in theater productions outside of LPHS, having been involved in 14 other shows, including "The Nutcracker," "Wizard of Oz," "Christmas in July," "Box," "Summer Camp Show," "Miracle on 3rd & A Street," "Beauty and the Beast Jr.," "At the Bandstand," "Matilda the Musical," "A Christmas Carol," "Aladdin Jr.," "SIX the Musical," and "Camp Rock the Musical." Currently, she is in "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" at La Porte Little Theatre Club.
“I love the thrill of being on stage and just performing my heart out,” Cooper said. “I love that I am Molly backstage and can step onto the stage as someone else; it's honestly great to think about.”
Cooper showcased her talents on stage by winning the Hoosier Star Youth Contest in 2023. As part of her prize, she received a $500 scholarship from STAR Financial Bank for her rendition of Natalie Cole’s "Orange Colored Sky."
“I was astonished when they called my name, saying I won,” she said. “I couldn't believe it! I thought everyone else did phenomenally, and the nerves were getting to me. When they announced the winner, my heart stopped.”
To become a finalist, Cooper had to go through an audition process where she sang "On My Own" from “Les Misérables.” Additionally, she spent months receiving vocal training under the guidance of Matt Nelson, choir director of the Children’s Choir Singing Co. of La Porte County.
“I was very excited to work with him one-on-one, and he helped tremendously. Of course, my mom practiced with me at home and in the car,” she said. “My family was extremely proud of me, and I'm so happy most of them could come! I made my dad cry.”
When Cooper isn't performing on big stages, she showcases her talent at open-mic nights and venues such as The Acorn, Fiddler's Hearth, Oktoberfest, and Good News Vintage.
“When I perform in public, I can't really say nerves are conquered. They're pretty consistent throughout performances,” she said. “Once I'm out there for half of my performance, I get much more comfortable with my surroundings, but I do drink lots of water to help.”
Cooper proves that age is irrelevant. Making an impact in the community only requires confidence and a deep breath before delivering a powerful performance, one note at a time.
