#1StudentNWI: Portage gymnasts make a strong showing at state meet

#1StudentNWI: Portage gymnasts make a strong showing at state meet

What’s recently happened?

Gymnasts conclude their season with a 5-5 record

Three Portage gymnasts participated in the State gymnastics meet at Ball State University on March 12. Sophomores Wrigley Barcelli, Shelby Conrad, and Payton Peele competed against top gymnasts in the state at the championship meet.

Conrad made her State debut on floor, posting a 9.0, after unfortunately watching her teammate Barcelli injure herself in the touch time before the event. Nevertheless, Conrad pulled through and performed a beautiful floor routine and finished in 24th place.

Her second time at State, Peele competed on beam and posted a 9.225, finishing in 12th place. The gymnastics team concluded their season with a 5-5 record, placing fourth at conference and sectionals. 

Robotic teams A,K,M,B earns accolades at state tournament

Portage High School’s robotics team, Porta-Botz, competed at the state championship virtual tournament on March 6. In the end, the teams walked away with a 15th place finish and the Indiana’s Judges award, which is one of six special state awards. While the season was shorter with fewer competitions, the Porta-Botz team still managed to improve upon its skills and adapt to new environments. 

Quiz Bowl team finishes 7th at state

After winning their first match, the Portage High School Quiz Bowl team fell short to Carmel High School. They rebounded and won against Rensselaer High School, who had beaten them on tiebreakers during the area competition, but then were eliminated in round five. Ultimately, the team tied with Greenfield-Central High School for the 7th place spot. 

Science students learn about local organization that aids in ridding pollution 

Science teacher Deb Broom virtually welcomed guest speaker Megan O’Brien, a biologist and project manager with the US EPA-Great Lake National Program, Chicago Office, to provide students information on water reclamation in the east branch of the Grand Calumet River located in East Chicago. O’Brien shared local organizations who are working to rid the Great Lake tributaries of pollution with Broom’s AP environmental science class. 

What’s coming up?

Six Business Professionals of America Students qualified for nationals

Each student qualified for nationals by placing in the top five of the categories. Junior Logan Reese was the Indiana State Champion, placing first in Economics. Senior Zachary Yong placed fifth in Personal Finance, junior Carter Mullins with third place in Personal Finance,  junior Isaac Snuffer with second place in Personal Finance, freshman William Kenzie with third place in PC Repair, and senior Kwadejah Marfo with second place in Interview Skills. The students will attend nationals virtually on April 24.

Class of 2021 ACES

Portage High School will hold a celebration ceremony on April 15 to honor students who are academically ranked in the top 30 of their graduating class. Additionally, educators who inspired these students will be honored as well.