#1StudentNWI: Standout Students and Teachers at Portage High School

PORTAGEHS1Class of 2015 Graduation

As the 2014-2015 school year came to a close, the senior class wrapped up their time spent at PHS at the commencement ceremony on June 7th. According to Zavier Colon, graduating was very overwhelming.

“The feeling of graduation is surreal at first and then it becomes bitter sweet because you realize that you won't see the people you hung out with in the same halls as you but you will make new friends and new memories soon,” Colon said.

For Colon, the best part of the ceremony was taking pictures with all of his friends and family after the ceremony and hearing his name being called as he grabbed my diploma. Looking back on his time at PHS, Colon feels his experience could benefit current students.

“My advice towards underclassmen would be to try your hardest in high school because it gets much harder after that,” Colon said. “Also to enjoy the time you have with your friends before you head off to different schools.”

Colon will be attending University of Indianapolis to study Computer Science.

Ashley Donaldson had a lot of fun at graduation, even though the reality of graduating has yet to fully hit her. She will be attending Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan in the fall to major in Radiation Therapy. However, Donaldson still looks back fondly on her time at PHS.

“What I'll miss the most about Portage High School will have to be the band department because of that's where I've spent most of my high school career at, all of the fun memories I've obtained there, and some great teachers that I happened to be so lucky to have throughout my years there,” Donaldson said.

PORTAGEHS2Kaitlin Doud and Kiley Jones named 1st Team All-State by Indiana Coaches of Girls Sports Association.

Both girls were also elected to play in the annual North-South All-Star game that will be played on June 27th. Jones was happy to hear that she had made this prestigious team.

“I was incredibly excited to hear that I was nominated to represent the north in this game,” Jones said. “There are only five candidates from the entire state that are nominated for this.”

Being chosen for this was a big accomplishment for Doud.

“Getting the opportunity to play in this game with the best players in the state is an honor,”Doud said. “Ending my high school career with this honor meant a lot.”

PORTAGEHS3Student Shoutout: Miles Eryan

Senior Miles Eryan ended his high school career on a high note when he won an award for Microsoft Office Specialist Powerpoint 2013. He won this award by taking a test to become certified in Powerpoint and also participated in the competition they had attached to it.

According to Eryan, any school in Indiana that has a class for being certified in Microsoft Office Programs was included in the contest. The contest took the top score in the lowest time and they became the Champions of the state. Eryan received a perfect score in less than 20 minutes on Powerpoint 2013 which won him the state title in Powerpoint for the State of Indiana.

"This award is nice because it helps me get ahead of people in job applications because it is something extra I can add to show what I know," Eryan said.

After winning at state, he got to travel down to Florida for the chance to compete at the national level on June 19th. While Eryan did not place at nationals, he still has a positive experience.

"Getting a trip to Florida and spending time there as a vacation was nice, and obviously being able to participate in the Nationals is nice because I can use it on resumes and things," Eryan said.

For Eryan, the hardest part was figuring out how to prepare because the test at Nationals was very different from the test at PHS.

"They did not tell me what the test was going to be like once I got down there," Eryan said. "They just said I was going into a room, there would be a folder with papers in it and I would be doing a test on the computer."

If he had the chance to do it again, Eryan would jump at the opportunity.

"It was a fun experience overall and now that I know what I need to do when I go to test it would make it a lot easier," Eryan said.

Eryan also feels that anybody who has the opportunity to take this class, should.

"It is a relatively easy class, you have a chance to win the state champion title for it and it helps you learn programs you will probably use for the rest of your life," Eryan said.

Teacher Shoutout: Jennifer Frame

Next school year promises to be an exciting challenge for Jennifer Frame, who will be serving as a Guidance Counselor after her time as a Home School Advisor.

"I was ready to branch out and assist students not only with personal issues, but also with academic and career planning as well," Frame said. "In this position I am able to get to know more students and work with them throughout their high school career."

As a Guidance Counselor her focus will shift toward the academic side of things, such as choosing classes, providing information about applying for colleges, and planning for life after graduation.

"Although the Home School Advisors and Guidance Counselors may have differing job duties, we do work hand-in-hand and collaborate because often personal problems interfere with the educational process," Frame said. "No matter what position I hold, my main priority is helping students.

While her first official day will be on August 3rd, Frame has already started working in order to be better prepared at the start of the school year.

"I am looking forward to getting to know the students, talking to them about their future plans, and helping them to realize their potentials and achieve their goals in life," Frame said.