Portage Graduate Chooses Purdue University

Ogden Dunes resident Jonathan Lehmann has declared which college he will attend: Purdue University. The Portage High School graduate exceled in the classroom, on the football field and in other extracurricular activities throughout his school career. Jon-Lehmann

Lehmann, the third and youngest son of Scott and Joanne Lehmann, was one of the 2010 ACES (the top students of the class) and carried a grade point average of 4.05.

He was involved in drama, having a major role his freshman year in “Godspell” and his senior year in “Hair,” for which he won Best Actor Award. He is a member of National Honor Society, Foreign Language Honor Society and sings in the choir at the Ogden Dunes Presbyterian Church. He has been a participant and speaker at The Awakening, a Christian youth retreat.

One of his biggest passions is football.

I’ve been playing since I was seven or eight. I started Pop Warner in second grade, and I’ve always been a lineman. Football is the same at any level. The only difference is the intensity.”

And Lehmann plays with intensity.

His commitment to excellence on the field garnered him an array of awards. He was elected Mr. Football for Portage’s Homecoming by his teammates and coaches.

He was chosen for the 5A First Team All State by the Indiana Football Coaches Association (IFCA) and Associated Press. He was also named an Indiana High School Academic All-Star, the only football player from Northwest Indiana to be chosen for this honor.

There are only 24 players chosen throughout the state, one for each position. I was the offensive tackle chosen by the IFCA. This was based on our GPA and class rank, along with our performance on the field. We were recognized in early December at half-time of the Colts-Broncos game in Indianapolis. We were brought out on the field and received a plaque.”

With his academic and athletic achievements, Lehmann had a wide selection of colleges from which to choose.

I considered Purdue, Wabash, Hillsdale and a few others but finally decided on Purdue.”

Watch for this young man to leave his mark at Purdue just as he has at Portage.