What’s happened recently?
The Blazers of Marquette Catholic High School (MQT) have just arrived back on campus from a much needed Spring Break. Many students parted ways to go on their own Spring Break adventures including to Mexico and Florida. Additionally, many students travelled together on MQT’s annual Spring Break trip. This year’s destination was Greece.
Students travelled from Chicago to Turkey to Greece. While in Greece, they were able to see many historic sites and attractions, while also experiencing authentic Greek life. They attendees were surrounded by Greek culture including food, people, traditions, and ways of life.
What’s coming up?
The Blazers’ baseball, softball, track and field, tennis, and golf teams are all quickly approaching their first competitions to kick off the spring season.
Baseball looks to have its first competition of the season soon with the weather permitting them. Baseball will also be having one of its regular season games at the Steel Yard, home of the Gary SouthShore RailCats. The Blazers will face Triton High School.
All of MQT’s spring teams have been hard at work preparing and practicing for the upcoming season. With lots of rain in this early spring season, the teams have had to be flexible with their practice areas and times.
MQT’s annual Armageddon Games will be held in the MQT gym and school. This is an opportunity for students to let loose and have fun with games, activities, and a break from schoolwork before finals roll around. Games include volleyball, basketball, soccer, ping pong, pool, UNO, Pictionary, desk races, trivia, and many more.
Each grade level will compete against each other in the activities and games in order to win points. Whichever grade level has the most points at the end of the day wins a prize. MQT is very excited for some friendly competition against each other.
Prom season is approaching as well. MQT’s prom will be located at Blue Chip Casino and Hotel in MIchigan City, near the school. This year’s theme is “Enchanted Garden.” The Blazer Crew, led by Leanna Smith, is working hard to plan an amazing dance for the students. It is a great opportunity for upperclassmen to spend time with each other, dress up, and have fun.
Staff spotlight:
Christine Roder is a teacher at MQT. She has been teaching for 21 years. She currently teaches English as a New Language, Advanced English as a New Language, and Health & Wellness. She has all types of students in her classes including MQT’s international students in her new language classes and domestic students.
Roder attended Western Michigan University for health education, Spanish, and teaching English to speakers of other languages, as a second language, and as a foreign language.
Roder is very close with her family.
“In my family, I have my husband, one daughter, three sons, a wonderful son-in-law, my first grandchild, my parents, two brothers, and a great brother-in-law,” Roder said.
Roder has been involved in MQT’s international program since it started.
“I’ve led several English Language Learning camps based here at MQT. These included experiential learning opportunities here in Indiana, Michigan, Chicagoland, and Washington D.C. My family and I have hosted international students in our home. Additionally, I have helped bring the Kairos Retreat to MQT. This has been one of the greatest joys of my professional and personal life. I’ve witnessed the change in students. The confidence, understanding, and love is so apparent. I enjoy attending MQT’s extracurricular activities, including athletics and theatre productions. I really love seeing my students outside of the classroom,” Roder said.
Roder’s favorite part of her job is the students and the people she works with. They are very caring, kind, hard-working, and smart people.
Roder loves to give advice to her students as well.
“You are worthy. Take good care of yourself. Talk to yourself the same way you would talk to your best friend, loving and positive,” Roder said.
Student spotlight:
Fin Hook is a freshman at MQT. She has been in attendance since the beginning of the 2024-25 academic school year. She is a member of the swim team in the fall and the tennis team in the spring. Hook has learned many things throughout her short time being on these teams.
“I have learned a lot from tennis and swimming. You are able to make a ton of friends from these two sports, and I have learned to try my best. If you ever need help, your coaches will always be there for you,” Hook said.
In Hook’s life, many people have influenced her, including her older sister and family.
“My mom and dad have influenced me in so many ways. They have always supported me through all my sports and school. My sister is like a role model to me. They are all always there for me,” Hook said.
In addition to swimming and tennis, Hook has other hobbies too. She enjoys going on walks, going to the beach, hanging out with her friends, and so much more.
“If I could describe myself, one thing I would say is that I talk a lot. I love getting to know people and making new friends,” Hook said.
Some things that have shaped Hook’s life are her boyfriend, traveling, making new friends, and getting to know new cultures and religions.
Hook attended the Spring Break trip in Greece and enjoyed it very much.
“It was a very adventurous trip. My favorite part was being able to get to know more people that go to our school, getting to visit all the places, and learning new information and cool facts about these places,” Hook said.
Hook wants to achieve the mindset of doing things right away instead of waiting to be stressed out with assignments and homework. She has learned that it is not good to procrastinate.
In the future, Hook plans to become a therapist for kids. She has learned that you should be yourself and to not let other people bring you down. She has found that others will always have an opinion and sometimes you have to stand tall and know you are a good person.
“Try your best and put effort into everything. If you make time to put in effort, you will succeed and progressively get better,” Hook said.
