What recently happened?
On Dec. 3, La Porte High School (LPHS) Spanish Club embarked on a field trip to Chicago, enjoying a day filled with sightseeing and immersing themselves in cultures, making for an enriching experience.
Students traveled to the Museum of Science and Industry and enjoyed delicious tacos at the Mexican restaurant El Gran Taco. Additionally, they visited a German Christkindl market, where they sipped hot chocolate from their annual mugs and savored potato pancakes and Nutella pastries. Students also could buy Christmas ornaments.
“The trip to Chicago allowed me to immerse myself in my culture and learn new things that I haven’t experienced yet,” Senior Angelique Martinez said.
Spanish Club Sponsor and Teacher Esmeralda Guzman organized the trip to provide her students with diverse interactions with different cultures.
“I hope students cherish and remember the great things they have learned and continue to learn about other cultures and new places after graduation,” Guzman said.
The Spanish Club will host its annual Christmas Party Dec. 17 at 5 p.m. For more information, please email eguzman@lpcsc.k12.in.us.
What’s coming up?
The holiday season is just around the corner!
LPHS students and staff will celebrate with a Holiday Spirit Week starting Dec. 16. The schedule is:
Monday, Dec. 16: Winter Color Wars. Freshmen and sophomores should wear green, while juniors and seniors are encouraged to wear Santa red. Staff members are invited to dress in layered flannel attire.
Tuesday, Dec. 17: Holiday Headwear. Come to school wearing a holiday-appropriate hat. No bandanas are allowed.
Wednesday, Dec. 18: Ugly Sweater and Sock Day. Wear the most outrageous ugly sweater along with festive Christmas socks.
Thursday, Dec. 19: Holiday Pajama Day. Get cozy in your holiday spirit pajamas.
The LPHS Student Council organized Holiday Spirit Week to engage Slicers in the holiday spirit.
“The whole point of spirit week is to showcase school spirit and have a little bit of fun,” Micheal St. Arnaud, LPHS Student Council vice president, said. “I hope every day of spirit week brings joy in students' lives.”
For more information, email alowry@lpcsc.k12.in.us.
Staff spotlight:
Music teachers have the power to change the lives of their students.
Choir accompanist and instructional assistant Sue Rosselli demonstrates that ability with an artistic mindset that inspires students to unlock their creative and musical potential.
Rosselli has worked at LPHS since 2021, co-teaching alongside Choir Director Tom Coe. Each day, she helps create a positive environment where students can thrive, improving their musical skills, confidence, and enthusiasm for the art.
“This job is perfect for me,” Rosselli said. “Mr. Coe and I have created a fun environment for students, which has also helped me grow as a musician.”
Rosselli plays piano arrangements for choir classes, performances, and festivals. She provides personalized support to band and choral students, assisting them with their vocal and instrumental parts. By recording her piano accompaniments, she helps musicians build confidence in their performances while accompanying them on piano at Indiana State School Music Association contests.
“I love working with students,” she said. “They are all interesting, wonderful, fun people whom I have come to love like my own kids, and, of course, I enjoy watching them grow and learn new skills.”
In addition to choir, Rosselli assists with electronic keyboard classes, using her piano expertise to enhance student learning. She also helps with various organizational tasks to achieve objectives in the music department.
Rosselli's talent extends far beyond La Porte. She graduated with a bachelor's degree from State University of New York at Fredonia, where she pursued a dual major in piano performance and vocal education. She later earned a master's degree from Manhattan School of Music and completed postgraduate studies in piano pedagogy at Columbia University.
“I always taught private lessons in piano, violin, and voice, but I also worked for many years as a medical secretary, medical transcriptionist, substitute teacher, art teacher, reading teacher, and in various other jobs,” she said. “However, I have always loved performing and helping others.”
Rosselli continues to perform outside of school. She has played with chamber groups within La Porte County Symphony Orchestra (LCSO) and serves as the accompanist for the adult and children’s choirs of the Singing Company of La Porte. Additionally, she is the music director, organist, and pianist at St. John's Lutheran Church.
Throughout her journey, Rosselli has inspired and nurtured the talents of others, continuing to be a shining example of unlocking potential and possibilities that inspire students, one note at a time.
“I believe music enriches our lives with beauty, helps us express our emotions, and allows us to understand one another better,” she said. “It creates many opportunities for forming friendships and offers avenues for professional and recreational play and singing, providing lifelong enjoyment. Additionally, music helps us connect as equals through shared experiences, as people from all walks of life can participate in making music together.”
Student spotlight:
Stepping outside our comfort zones is daunting, but by embracing new challenges, we move another step closer to being the best version of ourselves.
Senior Adi Alvarez began a journey of self-discovery through color guard in the marching band, forming friendships and creating memories that will last a lifetime.
“I wasn’t a very talkative person and mostly kept to myself before,” Alvarez said. “I was always interested in doing color guard, but I never knew where to sign up for it.”
Alvarez seized an opportunity in her sophomore year when a friend recommended her to Marching Band Director Joe Clark.
Joining Color Guard can be challenging. The stress associated with it can take a toll on one’s mental and physical health, especially at the beginning, with long practices in the heat that initially can decrease endurance.
However, Alvarez took a different approach. By seeking help, she gained the confidence to improve her social skills throughout the season.
“I had to ask people I didn’t know for help when it came to learning drills or if I had a question about the work we were learning,” she said. “From having to ask for help, I started talking to the other guard members more, and throughout the season, I found myself becoming friends with some of them and forming strong bonds with people from different sections.”
Building friendships in color guard boosts individual confidence and creates a strong sense of belonging, enabling Alvarez to succeed in the first season.
“The friends I made during my time in the guard are probably my closest friends now,” she said. “Even from just doing marching band, I gained more friends than I had before.”
Alvarez remained actively involved in Color Guard throughout high school. In her senior year, she decided to apply for a leadership position. The process involved submitting an application and participating in an in-person interview, where she had to spin a flag to the school song. Her performance during the interview earned her the position.
In her leadership role, Alvarez encouraged new members to step out of their comfort zones and confront challenges to achieve their goals.
“I was able to present myself more as a leader and hone that skill while also having the chance to help others in my section,” she said. “I helped them improve their mental health by giving them something to look forward to. I understand that being in color guard can be stressful, but I advised them to take breaks when needed to enhance their performance.”
Alvarez's leadership skills captured the attention of her fellow members, coaches, and directors.
“I have watched Adi's growth journey in and out of Color Guard for the past three years, and she has truly progressed into a remarkable and talented leader,” Guard Director Sarah McGuire said. “She went from being very meek to becoming the Flag Captain for our 2024 season, leading the guard in ways I knew she always could. I am incredibly proud of Adi and all she has accomplished so far; I know there is much more to come for her.”
Although her season has ended, her color guard experiences now in the history books, Alvarez embraced an opportunity that proved endurance leads to success, one spin at a time.
“I advise people to try any activity,” she said. “It will be a new experience, but it’s a great opportunity to learn something new. Joining something also gives you the chance to make new friends and learn more about yourself.”
