By: Memphis Biller
Scheduling for the 2024-2025 school year is now underway. The program of studies offers a plethora of classes, both one and two semesters. One great choice for a one semester class is Sociology taught by Jason Brown. The class is offered to sophomores through seniors for those who want to learn more about the individual sections of sociology, how they collide together, and are potentially interested in psychology.
According to Brown, Sociology is a social science class that examines the historical origins of the field, its basic principles, and examines how socialization influences behavior and social culture. Also the class examines how cultures are formed, how deviance occurs, the effects of social stratification, and the function of families, schools, religion, and other social institutions.
This class relies heavily on discussions of the content that students are reading about and learning. Students are encouraged to ask questions and create opportunities for a deeper discovery of complex social issues as they relate to the principle of the course.
The class is centered on learning to read academically--a skill that is essential to post-secondary learning. Lectures and discussion, student-produced presentations, and a research project are the main instructional components of the course.
Students will explore some of the concepts in Sociology by creating presentations to demonstrate their understanding. The biggest project is a semester-long research study that students choose to investigate. In this project, the goal is for students to develop and test a hypothesis so they can examine their study’s data to determine the validity of their hypothesis.
Brown teaches Sociology because of his interest and background in social sciences beyond the traditional social studies classes such as history and geography. Brown believes courses like Sociology and Psychology provide students with a better understanding of human behavior and why people behave and think the way they do.
“When you understand these aspects, you can better manage yourself and your interactions with other people,” Brown said.
Sociology is an excellent option for Slicers looking to enhance their learning of social sciences.
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In the coming weeks, current sophomores will choose their 11th grade English classes. The three sets of options include AP Language, American Literature and Advanced Composition, and English 11. American Literature and Advanced Composition are strong choices for those who want to be pushed yet don’t want the challenge of AP.
Advanced Composition is taught by Cynthia Toth. The core aspect of the class is to provide students with college-level and real-life writing skills. This class will focus on the writing process, and building grammar and vocabulary skills. The sole project of the class is a podcast, while all other major assignments are essay writing.
"I was delighted to know that there was more to learn about writing, and it made me realize how much I love writing and reading," junior Sofie LaRocco said.
American Literature is taught by Joe Stewart. The core aspect of the class is primarily an exploration of American Literature from the beginning of the 1600s to the middle of the 1900s with a special emphasis on American events including the Salem Witch Trials and the American Gothic genre. The class will focus on studying a blend of history, literature, and drama, all to gain a better understanding of the American experience from the perspective of some of America’s writers. While also looking at plays, historical documents, short stories, poetry, biographies, and films.
“All around I thought the class was thrilling and the topics that we touched on were very interesting. The class is all together fun and full of information,” junior Asher Watts said.
As scheduling comes closer, juniors have two great options in Advanced Composition and American Literature.
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By: Memphis Biller
Another one semester option available for Slicers is Vocal Jazz also known as Show Choir, which is taught by Tom Coe. Slicers who find themselves musically inclined should consider signing up.
In the class, students first learn the music, choreography second, and practice every day. Students have more performances than the other choirs. In Show Choir, students learn the music faster and have more of a responsibility to learn their parts.
"Vocal Jazz is full of fun and dedication, making it the most fun class ever," Nevaeh Reynolds, senior member, said.
The core aspect of the class is entertaining audiences with singing and dancing. The concerts count as class projects, and students often go out and perform in the community in places such as the Collective Market at the Civic and for the Valentine’s Tea at the Lutheran Church in Michigan City. The class has 12 available spots. Students have to audition for dancing and singing or already be in choir and must be a junior or senior.
Slicers looking for a one semester option and are interested in music should consider applying for Vocal Jazz.
With scheduling for next year around the corner, students have the opportunity to take Electronic Music, which is taught by Joseph Clark, one of the two band directors at LaPorte High School.
Electronic music is a class available to sophomores and up. The class involves working with software like Garageband, and other DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations). The class is split into two main units--songwriting and film music. The songwriting unit gives an introduction to the basic functions of DAWs with a sound effect story project, a radio commercial, and writing and recording an original song. In the film music unit, students will learn about important film composers, character themes, and complete a collaborative project with one of Don Varda’s film/TV classes.
“My favorite part of the class is when the students get to share their projects - there's so much creativity and voice that I might not get to see otherwise!” Clark said.
Electronic music is a semester-long class. It may be offered in the fall and/or spring depending on the master schedule. The class is focused on the creativity of the students and is an excellent choice even for students without any prior music experience or knowledge.
Slicers looking for electives to fill up their schedules for next year should consider electronic music to dabble in the arts of music.
Slicers who find themselves interested in the musical arts have the opportunity to learn about the history of music with beloved band director Joseph Clark. Those Slicers should consider Music History and Appreciation. The class is a dual-credit course through Ivy Tech, so students can earn both high school and college credit.
This class is one-semester and goes over Western music history from ancient Greece and the Medieval era through modern times. The class is primarily lecture-based but also includes class discussions and fun activities, which include learning a variety of historical dances.
“I love teaching the class because I get to share music I love with students every day,” Clark said.
In this class, students will seek to contextualize the content and the how and why were people making this music at the times and in those places. Students will also look at who is telling the story and why some music survived while other pieces did not.
In the second half of the class, students embark on a research project on music that they are interested in, which may culminate in an essay, presentation, or other creative project.
Slicers in grades 10 through 12th who are interested in one-semester classes and dual credit classes should consider taking Music History and Appreciation.
By: Memphis Biller
The LPHS Dungeons and Dragons Club is off to another strong start in its third year.
The game Dungeons and Dragons was created in 1978 and slowly caught popularity from many. Slicers Memphis Biller and Kegan Rees, who are major fans of the game, approached English teacher Mr. Martin in the fall of 2021 about starting LaPorte High School's very own Dungeons and Dragons Club.
Dungeons and Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game where players and a dungeon master come together to create a story. The game has been through several editions with the current version being 5th edition. The players have 11 classes to fit their playstyle. The dungeon master controls the world, npcs, and the plot of the campaign. The club runs most games in the 5th edition setting.
The club has garnered much attention and attendance throughout the past three years. Attendance has been between 40 to 50 people, with the highest at 60.
Martin asked fellow English teacher Ms. Johnson if she would like to become a co-sponsor.
“I have to say I was thrilled to accept,” Johnson said.
From then on, Johnson and Martin have been the sponsors of the club managing supplies and keeping track of attendance.
The club is run by dungeon masters who host games for players to join. Each player either goes to their dungeon masters or moves around. Some groups run consistent campaigns or one shots.
The club meets weekly on Thursday from 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. and is welcome to any newcomers.
Cynthia Toth is one of many English teachers at LaPorte High School with a passion for reading and educating. Toth is known from the Slicer Readers Book Club, her everyday classes, and her overall pleasant demeanor.
Toth was inspired to become a teacher for a multitude of reasons. Many of her incredible middle school teachers motivated her and even one not-so-great one who showed her how she didn’t want to be. She also coached her sister’s middle school softball team, and that made her realize she had a passion for helping others learn.
Toth earned a Bachelor’s degree in English from Purdue Northwest and a Master’s degree in Education from Valparaiso University. Toth taught at Westville, Chesterton, and Valparaiso High School before coming to LaPorte High School where she has taught for two years.
Toth incorporates her love for reading and writing into her teachings and the things she does.
Toth and fellow English teacher Jenna Johnson co-sponsor the Slicer Readers Book Club. They read books based on student interests and then discuss them. Students see what connections they can draw between books. She wanted to start the Slicer Readers Book Club because she loves reading and discussing books, and she wanted other passionate readers to have an opportunity to do the same.
Toth serves on the prestigious Eliot Rosewater Committee--a committee that narrows down a list of 100 books to the 20 that the high school students then read and vote on, She is close to the personal goal she set for herself: read a total of 50 books for this year, and she has read 49 books out of 50 so far.
“Reading is important because it takes you to other places and offers an escape. It also gives you new viewpoints and critical thinking skills,” Toth said.
Toth is a Slicer at heart and a beloved member of the LaPorte High School family.
By: Memphis Biller
Rob Richards has been named the new Special Education Director for LaPorte Community School Corporation at the start of the 2023-2024 school year.
Richards went to college for architecture and landscaping at Ball State, but he later changed his mind and went into education at Indiana University. Richards was a special education teacher at LaVille Schools for 15 years, but he decided to go into special education administration for a change. He went back to school for his administrator's license through Ball State. In total, Richards has been in education for 24 years with nine years in administration.
His first administration job was in Plymouth at Special Ed Cooperative, Joint Educational Services in Special Education (J.E.S.S.E) down in Plymouth. He was assistant director for three years. The job and the structure of J.E.S.S.E changed, which faded out his job. Seeking a new job, he found himself in LaPorte.
He found an opening for a Special Education Supervisor position in LaPorte for the 2018-19 school year. He was in that position for the last five years. Then, this year the position of Director of Special Education opened up and he applied for it. Landing the job, became the director in July. This is currently his sixth year with the LaPorte Community School Corporation.
His hope is within five years for the cooperative to continue growing with inclusive practices to the fullest extent as well as maintaining the specialty programs within the co-op.
LaPorte is a cooperative with New Prairie, Westville, South Central, and Tri-Township Schools. Students come to LaPorte schools from other neighboring districts to meet their educational needs. As well as working with co-op students, his job focuses on working and communicating with families and staff, and making sure that the programs and buildings are staffed and students are receiving their special education services. Case conferences are held with parents to see what is needed for each child per their IEP. His goal is to help the students reach their fullest potential and ensure their educational needs are met.
“Something I like about LaPorte Schools is that it isn’t a one-size-fits-all,” Richards said.
Outside of school, Richards is also known by the community for his charity work. He is a member of the 501st Legion, a Star Wars costuming organization. The organization does charity for Children's Miracle Network, Make a Wish Foundation, Leukemia Foundation, and other organizations. The costumes go through a process to get it approved by Disney and LucasFilms Limited to make sure the costumes are screen-accurate. He has been a member of the 501st Legion since 2012. Through the Legion he has participated in numerous charity events within, LaPorte and around, such as the Parents That Share paddle auction.
Richard’s passion for helping others is evident in all he does. Richards is a welcomed addition as the new LaPorte Special Education Director.
12 new staff members have found a home at LaPorte High School. The new faculty are Thomas Adams, Justin Browning, Kimberly Gauer, Alicia Harper, Bethany Holmgren, Zachary Lee, Sue Lipinski, Michael Nichols, Cythnia Roberts, Brock Sell, Arielle Smith, Emily Upp. Adams is the Algebra 2 and Trigonometry teacher. Adams has a bachelor's in mathematics and physics and a Master’s of Science in education administration. A fun fact about Adams is that when he was a kid he wanted to be a ninja.Browning is a new assistant principal. Browning earned his master's degree from Indiana University and Purdue Northwest. A fun fact about Browning is that he once was kicked out of an IU vs Notre Dame basketball game for booing John Cougar Mellencamp; however, it was not him who booed it was someone in the area. He listened to the rest of the game from his car radio.Gauer is the new special education co-teacher for English 12 and teaches the language arts lab. Gauer always loved learning and working with people. She graduated from LaPorte High School in 2002. Then, she went to Grand Valley State University and graduated in 2006 with a bachelor’s in biology with a chemistry minor. She then earned her Master of Arts in Teaching with a special education concentration in 2017, and she is licensed to teach secondary ed in Biology, chemistry, and English, as well as special education. A fun fact about her is that she likes to crochet stuffed animals.Harper is the new Geometry and Algebra 2 teacher. She has a master's in teaching. A fun fact about her is that she is ambidextrous.Holmgren is the new co-teacher of biology and integrated science and physics. Her bachelor's was in agriculture education with a minor in horticulture. She attended Indiana University South Bend where she earned a Master’s in Education specializing in Mild Interventions. A fun fact about her is that she met her husband when she was nine years old. They both showed Hampshire sheep at the St. Joseph County Fair.Lipinski is the new Geometry teacher. She earned her bachelor’s in mathematics from Milligan College. A fun fact about her is that she enjoys the outdoors, especially with family.Nichols is the new Integrated Chemistry and Physics B, Physics, and AP Physics teacher. He has a Bachelor of Science in Earth and Space Science from IU Bloomington. A fun fact about him is that he ran cross country and track through high school and is now the girls' cross country coach.Sell is the new applied English, Earth and Space Science, business, math, P.E, and basic skills development teacher. Sell holds a Bachelor of Arts in intercultural studies from Bethel University in Mishawaka, Indiana. He started a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy at Bethel, and he was able to finish it at Oxford University in the UK. He also holds a minor in ESL from Bethel University. A fun fact about Sell is that he has lived, worked, and studied on three continents.Smith is one of the new counselors. She has a bachelor’s degree in behavior science and a master’s in Education/School Counseling at Purdue University Northwest. A fun fact about her was that she was in competitive karate until middle school.Upp is the new Principles of Culinary and Hospitality and Nutrition teacher. She went to Purdue West Lafayette for Hospitality and Tourism Management and is currently going back to school for Transition to teach for her teaching certificate. Ms. Upp shared that she works with her husband, father-in-law, mom, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law for the corporation.Roberts is the new special education teacher, and Lee is the new science teacher.Laporte High School welcomes the 12 new faculty members with open arms and can’t wait to see their impact.
Slicers who find themselves interested in public speaking and furthering their communication skills should consider signing up for Advanced Speech and Communication.
Advanced Speech and Communications needs 25 more people to keep the class open. This course is open to all grades and is taught by beloved English teacher Joe Stewart.
This course starts by taking an introductory look at the mechanics of public speaking and the art of rhetoric, but the bulk of the class is spent working on individual events.
The core aspect of the class is learning to be a more effective communicator. The Indiana Schools Speech and Debate Association (ISSDA) recognizes 15 different events from radio broadcasting to international extemporaneous speaking, and class members have the opportunity to grow and develop their communication skills in a variety of ways.
For more creative students, there are acting-based events. These focus on how an effective communicator makes the audience feel. Or if students are more analysis-minded, events like impromptu speaking or extemporaneous speaking are great ways to practice effectively communicating a persuasive argument. There are also events such as discussions in which students sit with a group of students and have a conversation, and original performances, in which competitors write and perform their own material such as drama, poetry, and comedy.
The main events and competitions in Speech occur in the second semester. The team has Sectional and District tournaments in February to determine who makes it to the State and Nationals. The Speech and Debate extracurricular program also participates in many school events throughout the year, such as Homecoming.
“I think it’s important to be honest about speech classes; there aren’t a lot of people who love the idea of speaking in front of large groups of people,” Stewart said.
Slicers who want to pursue a career in communication should consider signing up for Advanced Speech and Communications.