What's Recently Happened:
Recently, the Portage High School (PHS) boys track team had their senior night. Although early into the outdoor track season, the boys were able to walk away with some first-place scores. One senior at PHS, Rafael Maier, came in first place in one of his relays and is ecstatic about his success.
Reflecting back on his senior night, Maier feels that the best part is being able to support his other teammates through victory. After graduating from PHS, Maier plans to continue his running career at Purdue University Northwest (PNW).
In track, Maier puts his focus on the middle distance sprint events such as the 800 to 400 meter, 4x8, and 4x4 relay. With the events Maier partakes in for track, he is most looking forward to attending state and medaling.
Since he’s been on the track team all of high school, Maier knows that the sport, memories, and friends he’s made will last a lifetime. He feels that being involved in track has shown him how to be a leader as well as how to be led.
What’s Coming Up:
Next month on May 7, the PHS prom will be held at the Valparaiso Expo Center. This year’s prom theme is "garden of glamor." With the additive of golds, greens, and other colors of nature, this year’s prom is sure to be a wild time.
One PHS senior, Aleksandra Ramon, will be attending prom with her long-time boyfriend Anthony Gualandi. Ramon is most excited to dance, get dressed up, and make memories that will last a lifetime. For her senior prom, Ramon decided to go with a blue and green sequin dress from White Iris Dresses. Since it’s both Ramon and Gualandi’s senior prom they are more than ready to go all out.
“I’m going all out since it’s my senior prom! Hair, nails, makeup, the perfect dress, and the perfect shoes!” said Ramon.
When the lights go down and the slow songs emerge onto the dance floor, Ramon hopes that that slow song will be "Dancing in the Dark" by Joji.
Another PHS senior, Gage Bagwell, will be attending prom with his girlfriend Emily Fausch. For Bagwell, this is his first time attending prom so he’s very excited to see how it will turn out. At prom, Bagwell is looking forward to dancing with his girlfriend and friends. Once the after-party starts, both he and his girlfriend plan to chill out by a bonfire.
Staff spotlight
Jacqueline Brasseur is this year's sponsor for the 2022 graduates senior trip. This year's senior trip takes place on May 21 and is at Six Flags Great America. This is her first year sponsoring the senior trip, but she is more than excited to ride the roller coasters and see the seniors' hard work pay off with a night of extravagant fun.
Out of all the places the senior trip could have taken place, Brasseur decided Six Flags was the place to go because she was a chaperone for the same trip in 2019 and saw how much fun it was. The trip does not begin until 10 p.m., and lasts until 4 a.m.. During this time, the high schoolers can ride roller coasters and make lasting memories with their friends. Brasseur feels that all seniors who are able should attend the trip.
“It’s a cool experience because you're in the amusement park overnight with other high schools. It’s a lot of fun. It’s also one of the last chances for the seniors to spend time with their classmates,” said Brasseur.
Student Spotlight
This month, PHS senior Natalie Segally, chose to continue her academic career at Indiana University Northwest (IUN) to become a dental hygienist. Segally recently decided to attend IUN because of its close location to home and their offered courses. Since she was able to get in via early decision, Segally was able to schedule her classes and get a free parking pass with the scheduling.
This school year, Segally decided to join the dental vocational at PHS. At first, she was uncertain as to whether or not the career path she was studying was right for her; turns out it was!
Since Segally is in the last quarter of her senior year, her dental vocational program required her to find a dentist office and intern there. This internship is formally known as a clinical. Currently, Segally is doing her clinicals at Restoration Dental Studio in Valpo, IN.
Segally feels that she’s learned a lot, although only being at the dental studio for a short period of time. She loves the small office vibe, the friendly environment, and the realization that this is her future.
“The dentist and dental assistants in the office are very helpful and give me great career advice. They are so incredible and I couldn’t ask for a better team to learn from,” said Segally.
Segally feels that being a part of the dental vocational at PHS has transformed her world in various ways. During her last few weeks at PHS, Segally hopes to make awesome memories with her friends, get as much education on her future career as possible, and have the best ending to her senior year.