The 2012-2013 school year has come to a close for La Porte High School. The seniors graduated off to bright futures, and the new freshmen are poised to enter the doors of LPHS. But before looking forward, let us reflect back on all of the exciting events that took place throughout the school year that LaPorteCountyLife.com brought to you. From academic competitions to dances, the year was one to remember. Let us reflect back on the ten events that made the year.
Girl Reserves Night in Venice: A Masquerade Ball
On February 23, the annual Girl Reserves dance took place at Hesston Hills. This classy event was shrouded in mystery with a masquerade theme. Students entered the hall dressed their best and cloaked by an ornate mask. The students ate a delicious meal and danced the night away. The event celebrates the hard work the female members of Girl Reserves put toward community service. Each member must perform over 30 hours of community service in order to attend the dance. Click here for the article and photos from the romantic evening!
J.E.T.S. Blast off to Second Place
The Junior Engineering Technical Society is made up of a group of students with a sharp combination of ingenuity and technical intelligence. This academic team put their skills to the test at the annual J.E.T.S. competition on March 5th at Purdue Calumet. After a long bus ride through a snow storm, the team took a group test on the topic of cyber engineering. After breaking down codes, hacking techniques, and software problems the winners of the competition were announced. The freshman and sophomore LPHS team pulled off a spectacular 2nd place in the competition which pools many schools from the whole region. Click here for the article on this Slicer success!
La Porte High School combated bullying, violence, and ignorance by launching the Kindness Campaign. This wonderful effort spear-headed by English teacher Erin Parker, brought many students together in a crusade to spread happiness, hope, joy, and love. Each week students performed a random act of kindness such as decorating teachers’ doors and baking cookies for the lunch ladies. The campaign proved rewarding for those both giving and receiving. The group even made a few videos to promote the campaign, which were “retweeted” by the YouTube sensation Kid President. Parker plans to continue the campaign into the next school year. Click here for the article on the campaign!
La Porte High School Health and Career Fair
La Porte High School was the lucky school in the area to participate in the Career and Health Fair. This special event organized by Purdue University North Central in cooperation with other local organizations, brought the students a gigantic fair with interactive booths full of health and career information. Students also were treated to a special performance titled “STAND UP! Change Teen Statistics.” This raw musical threw out startling statistics to alert students of their decisions. Click here for the full article on this eye-opening day for LPHS!
24th Annual Jazz Fest a Smooth Night
La Porte High School has a long and storied music program-a pinnacle of which is the annual jazz fest. On May 3rd, the LPHS auditorium was packed with an audience ready to be soothed to the melodic tunes of the La Porte High School Jazz Bands. This special evening was highlighted by student solos, and even guest performances from some of the top jazz performers in the nation. Click here for the full article and photos from this night!
A Moment of Pride at the 2013 Pride Banquet
On May 6, La Porte High School hosted their annual Pride Banquet. This unique event honored the top 10% of the senior class and an educator of their choice. Students brought former music teachers, preschool teachers, and even school trainers. Each student, accompanied by their parents, delivered a heart felt speech on the selection of their mentor and presented their mentor with a personal gift. The night was a celebration of student success and the mentors that lead. Click here for the full article and photos from the Pride Banquet!
High School Announces New Principal
After a long tenure at La Porte High School, Principal Greg Handel announced he would be retiring after the 2012-2013 school year. Many students and staff began to wonder who would replace the beloved principal. Late May, their answer came-the new La Porte High School Principal will be La Porte alumni Ben Tonagel. The former La Porte High School star student and athlete is eager to get back to his home town and settle into his new position. Although he concedes his first year will consist of a lot of learning, above all he is anxious to connect with the school and the people. Tonagel wants to enforce a sense of community and pride at the school. He said, “Being a Slicer is unique, and I am looking forward to reconnecting with that.” Click here to learn more about the new principal!
La Porte High School Announces Top of the Class
Fourteen students achieved the difficult goal of maintaining a 4.0 throughout their whole high school career. These students were considered the top of the 2013 graduating class and were specially honored at the graduation ceremony. Each student had a special combination of hard work, tenacity, and determination to keep the 4.0. The students were Co-Valedictorian Nathan Gerick, Co-Valedictorian Jacob Applegarth, Salutatorian Kurt Urbanski, Whitney Hart, Carly Jackson, Amber Underwood, Olivia Jongkind, Ben Tarnow, Maria Sobecki, Paige Pope, Rachel Garwood, and Charlie Minich. Click here for a profile on each of these outstanding students!
On May 18, LPHS boys donned their suits and ties and girls got all gussied up for the 2013 Prom-Hollywood Nights. Grateful for the beautiful weather, students strutted their stuff down the red carpet at the Civic Auditorium in front of family and friends. Once past the paparazzi, students danced the night away among giant cut outs of Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe. Throughout the evening, pairs snuck off to the photo booths for a goofy or glamorous photo shoot. Abby Kwiecien and Nick Francesconi were crowned prom king and queen royalty in front of their fellow subjects. Click here for the article and photos from the night!
Commencement Ceremony Held for 2013 Graduates
On June 2nd, the class of 2013 and long-time Principal Greg Handel, stepped across the stage at Kiwanis Field and received their diplomas. This tiny class of less than 400 students faced winds and chills on what was possibly the coldest commencement ceremony of LPHS. Salutatorian Kurt Urbanski and Co-Valedictorians Jacob Applegarth and Nathan Gerick sent off their fellow graduates with well-wishes and encouragement for the future to come. Everyone says the number 13 is unlucky, but the La Porte High School class of 2013 proved otherwise with a highly successful academic year. Click here for the commencement article or here for a full photo gallery of the event!
Keep checking in for more events that LaPorteCountyLife.com will bring you in the 2013-2014 school year!