What’s recently happened?
Attention all Portage High School (PHS) graduates, it’s time to get your senior ad in the yearbook. Senior ads are great for families to showcase a Class of 2024 graduate and commemorate their hard work eternally in the yearbook. This custom personalization can take up from one-sixteenth to half a page in the yearbook.
“Senior ads are a great thing to look back on,” said Yearbook Sponsor Rachel Calderone. “It also gives our school community an opportunity to honor our seniors after four years. It’s a nice touch because everyone gets that senior ad – it’s not just one kid in one book. You can even lay it out at your open houses and get a printout from the website.”
Not sure what to include in a senior ad? No worries. Calderone suggests putting in a meaningful quote or guiding life motto to place next to the photos.
Senior ads can be purchased by going to www.yearbookordercenter.com, typing in the Portage district code of 3867 and filling out the guided form. All senior ads must be ordered and paid for before February 29. Prices vary depending on the size. Everyone should take advantage of the opportunity to have their photo in the yearbook for eternity and show their Portage Pride.
What's coming up?
The Harlem Wizards are back! The Harlem Wizards basketball team is returning for another night of excitement, laughter, and shenanigans. This fun, interactive family event will feature the Harlem Wizards as the team takes on the teachers and principals of Portage Township Schools (PTS). Students are sure to love seeing their teachers in what is set to be a spectacular night of theatrics and comedy on the basketball court.
“From the time the Wizards step out onto the court to their own themed music with their own emcee and talented team of players with their electric personalities, the gym is sure to be rocking,” said the Wizards team website. “The night is funny, theatrical, exciting and spectacular, and the gym will reverberate with ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs,’ laughter, enthusiasm, and much much more.”
This year’s event is being hosted by the Portage Township Education Foundation (PTEF), a non-profit organization that raises money through fundraisers to give back to PTS staff through its annual grant program. Teachers and employees can submit their ideas for classroom enrichment programs that will benefit students both now and in the future. Grants proposals may be awarded up to $3,500.
“We are very excited to welcome the Harlem Wizards back to Portage this year,” said Chad Bogue, PTEF president. “It’s a fun time for the whole family and a great opportunity for our community to support the mission of PTEF as well as the incredible teachers and staff in our district. This will be an awesome night and one people will not forget.”
The Harlem Wizards game will be held at PHS in the east gymnasium on Wednesday, February 21. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the game starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at the link below or by scanning the QR code on the flyer.
Staff spotlight:
For April Shoppa, positivity is a state of mind. Even though life is hard, she is grateful that the Lord keeps His breath in her lungs everyday. Shoppa tries to give a compliment or smile to someone each and every day.
“Seeing people smile in return is all I need,” said Shoppa. “I don’t mind doing something that might seem embarrassing if it can make someone smile and laugh. Laughter is the absolute best medicine in the world!”
Currently in her 25th year in education, Shoppa is loving life as a physical education (PE) teacher. Before the last two years in PE, Shoppa spent the previous 23 years teaching kindergarten through second grade, and her sense of humor is well known throughout the district. It’s great and crazy at the same time. With students, Shoppa uses it in all different ways depending on the situation.
“I’ll make crazy faces, use silly voices, move or dance in the most hysterical ways and I live for any occasion to dress in a gimmick – 100’s Day, crazy hat, holidays, whatever excuse I can find,” said Shoppa. “With my coworkers, it’s more shocking off the wall types of comments. I love making people laugh, even at my own expense.”
Coming from a family of six children, there were always kids in the house. Shoppa became a proud aunt by the age of 12 and babysat her nephew any chance she could. Between the ages of 15 and 19, Shoppa believed she was a babysitter to most of the kids in Portage. In high school, she taught children’s exercise and cheerleading classes at the Portage YMCA. She was involved in several extra curricular activities – French Club, Pep Club, Marching Indians, and Student Council to name a few – but her favorite was the Indianettes.
“The Indianettes were a fairly large group, and we all worked together well,” said Shoppa. “It was like a small family unit where we encouraged each other, worked hard, and became great friends. We shared fun times, laughter, and heartaches together. I have so many wonderful memories and friendships through Indianettes.”
In her 20s, Shoppa became a cheerleading coach for Portage Pop Warner, and through her life she knew she wanted to become a teacher. Sometimes, it was difficult for Shoppa to connect with her elementary school teachers and truly absorb the new information, but that all changed when she attended the camps held at the Portage Y.
“In my heart, I always knew I wanted to be a teacher,” Shoppa said. “Connecting with children and making them aware of how special they are has always been very important to me, and I believed I was good at that – I guess it was a calling. I met two adults who were running these camps, and I could tell they cared and saw something in me that no one ever did. Terry and Deb Dudek were both extremely instrumental in changing my outlook, and that's when I knew for sure that, no matter what it took, I would become a teacher, one with a heart and compassion that truly could see the best in all children.”
Shoppa certainly does have the privilege of seeing the best in all her children. Every day, she is graced with the presence of many elementary school students ready for a fun day with Shoppa in the gymnasium. Though she has spent little time as a PE teacher, Shoppa finds that it is just as rewarding as being in a classroom.
“The little time that I have been a PE teacher, there is no better feeling than seeing a child smile or gain confidence that they don’t have to be the best or most athletic to enjoy having fun while using movement,” said Shoppa.
Family is very important to Shoppa, and she admires her family members deeply. She calls her husband a gift from God as he is not only her husband but also her best friend and her strength and spiritual partner in life. Her daughter, Alex, was also a gift from God. After several years of trying to have children, Shoppa received the phone call that changed her life forever. A wonderful lady chose Shoppa to be the mother of her newborn, and Shoppa adopted her daughter in January 2007. Shoppa gives her all to being the most positive role model and mother possible to Alex.
“I try to give her any and all experiences possible to be the strongest, happiest, critical-thinking, and tender-hearted person she can be,” said Shoppa. “She possesses skills, strength, and abilities that I could only wish to have. God has blessed Alex with so many talents and traits, and she has a smile that lights up any room.”
In her free time, Shoppa enjoys running and watching sitcoms with her family. If you were to stop over, Shoppa says you are likely to find her watching the Game Show Network. In terms of movies, Shoppa prefers watching rom-coms with her husband and Lola, her mutt lapdog, brings her comfort and joy. For music, the Beatles are Shoppa’s all time favorite band, and once 93.9FM flips the switch to Christmas music, she keeps it on all the time. You can spot Shoppa cruising around town in her yellow Camaro with its black pinstripes named “BUMBLEBEE.” Feel free to honk and wave when you see Shoppa buzzing by.
Student spotlight:
The studious and passionate Jae’den Roberts has finally made it to his senior year at PHS. Approaching his final year of varsity track and field, there is no doubt that his excellent athleticism and leadership skills will shine through. Roberts’ experience with playing football for many years will also translate into a successful final track season.
Since his freshman year at PHS, Roberts has achieved one of his dreams of playing for the school’s football team. In his most recent season, Roberts’ outstanding offense scored three touchdowns for the Indians and had the most receiving yards per game (55.8 yards), making him one of this season’s most valuable players on the team. He understands his role as a leader is an important role for the overall success of the team and tries to lead by example on and off the field. Focusing on not just himself during the games but the whole team as a power unit is what keeps him motivated during a game.
“Anything is possible. You just have to believe in yourself no matter what others may say,” said Roberts. “When a pass is coming towards me, I think about not letting my family or team down and then about the pain and hard work I put in to be in the situation.”
In the spring, Roberts is locked in on the track season. His main events are the 4X100 meter dash and the 300 meter hurdles. Although he loves to run any race, he has a deep love for the 300 meter hurdle event since he can showcase his stride and great speed. Roberts never takes his opportunity to run for PHS for granted. He takes every moment to learn as much as possible from all his teammates and helps them in return.
“I love to learn from the young guys and also teach them too,” said Roberts. “I want to be there for the new guys who don’t know exactly what’s going on. I want to be a safe space for them and help them grow as athletes.”
Balance is very important to Roberts. He stays on a very routine schedule. After school, he attends practice, heads home to focus on homework and then redirects his attention back to sports to polish up and fix things he feels he can correct or do better at. He acknowledges that his routine is a lot, but he stays true to himself throughout it all and believes that God has his back. On a personal level, Roberts plans to attend college and run track while studying sports medicine. He credits his family and two teachers for their support.
“My family is so important to me,” said Roberts. “They sacrificed so much for me because they see I’m very passionate about the things I do and they support me and help me. Also, Mr. Nicholas Haas and Mr. Randy Benton believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.”
In 10 years, Roberts envisions himself working hard to provide for a beautiful family and being a great dad and role model for those around him, but for now, you can find Roberts listening to music, specifically Maroon 5, reading the Bible or meditating, snacking on Oreo Cakesters and cheering for his favorite sports team, the Pittsburgh Steelers.