According to IUCN Red, currently, more than 47,000 species have been assessed to be under threat of extinction.

The main cause of the endangerment of animals is humans. Others are habitat loss, climate change, overexploitation, pollution, invasive species, and disease. It has always been my passion to help endangered animals, but I know that many people aren’t really educated on the subject.

Habitat Loss is described as the destruction of a species habitat, some ways being deforestation. If animals don’t have a home to thrive in, then they’ll have to find other places to live in. That can disturb other species that may live there which can disturb the animals.

Climate change is the warming of the earth that happens over time, mainly because of humans using fossil fuels. Warming temperatures can cause habitats to change, especially the ones located in the tundra. For example, polar bears have been losing their homes because their habitats are melting.

Overexploitation is the abuse of hunting that causes populations to drop. Many laws have been put into place because of people overhunting animals. Rhinos are an example, and hunting of their horns soon became illegal after their population increased dramatically. Overexploitation did bring protection laws such as the AWA (Animal Welfare Act) and the MMPA (Marine Mammal Protection Act.)

Pollution, disease, and invasive species are also examples of the way we are hurting animals. Their habitats are being destroyed by using chemicals such as fossil fuels, which are ruining the environment. Diseases can be brought to animals by humans through direct contact. Invasive species are usually brought by humans, and this can lead to stable ecosystems becoming disrupted.

All of these things are leading up to worldwide consequences. Ecosystems are collapsing due to the lack of animals that are needed. Vital services that animals provide, such as being service animals or medical alert will be lost, and the amount of that resource will decline. Other things include less food security and increased disease transmission. All of these could ultimately threaten human lives as a whole.

We must continue to protect our animals because without them, we wouldn't have much. So here are some ways that regular humans can do daily.

Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Marine life is extremely vulnerable to the garbage and plastic left in the oceans. According to the NOAA, Scientists think about 8 million metric tons of plastic entered the ocean in 2010. If we reduce the amount of plastic, reuse it in several different ways, and recycle, then we can leave a beautiful environment for marine life to thrive in.

Help create wildlife-friendly habitats. A small birdbath or even making small nests can help animals adapt to their environment that may have been altered in some way.

I think one of the most important ways of helping animals is just being educated. If you even have just a small amount of understanding, you can learn about some of your own local endangered animals. Use your voice, tell others, share your opinions on the internet and anything to help spread awareness.

If you're ever looking for any information on the subject then I recommend going to this website - https://www.wwf.org.uk/learn/wildlife/endangered-animals ,

I had the opportunity to go see the shortened version of the Nutcracker at the Morris Performing Arts Theater.

The Nutcracker tells a story of a young girl named Clara, who receives a nutcracker doll for Christmas. On the day of Christmas Eve, after her brother breaks the doll, she dreams that her nutcracker comes to life and defeats the mouse king. At the end of the story, he is transformed into a prince and leads Clara to the Land of Sweets where she meets the Sugar Plum Fairy.`

One of my favorite parts was definitely when Clara was dancing with the Nutcracker Prince. It is such a beautiful moment and brings so much emotion to the story even without the words.

That was my first time ever seeing a ballet performance in person. I loved every second of it. Dance has always been something I enjoyed. I used to even take dance classes when I was younger, so seeing The Nutcracker was such an amazing experience.

I recommend anyone to see The Nutcracker if given the chance. If someone is

interested in seeing the show, tickets can be purchased online at morriscenter.org. They also have other events available that may be of interest.

Wherever you sit, it always makes someone feel like they are a part of the show. You can get great views in almost every spot in the theater. Compared to theaters in Chicago, the prices are better. It is also a better place locally since it usually takes around 45 to 50 minutes to get to South Bend, while it takes over two hours to get to Chicago.

I am so grateful that I was given the opportunity to see this show in person. I hope that next year I can go again.

In honor of Winter Guard International's 2026 beginning, let’s recap some of my favorite shows from last year.

WGI is a non-profit organization that introduces indoor marching arts. It is mostly famous for its Winter Guard competitions. Several different high schools and groups from all around the US compete against one another to determine in regional competitions whether or not they move onto the finals.

There are several different classes that compete in WGI: Regional A, A Class, Open Class, and World Class. Regional A is more of a beginning program, the ones just getting back into guard or are not able to compete yet. Open classes are World Class competition levels, with world class being the highest. There is two divisions that compete, open Scholastic, which is only for high schools, and Independent Class, which is non-affiliated high schools.

Scoring is covered by different sections, equipment, movement, design, general effect, and timing. Though they are all judge and scored under the same categories, the different classes are differently scored.

My overall favorite show was an Independent World Class show. The show is called “To the Fullest” by the Pride of Cincinnati. Their show was beautiful: the flags, the dancing, and even the costumes. They earned first place with a score of 94.900 in their division.

In the Scholastic World finals, the first was a score of 98.000. Woodland High School's show was titled “Departure.”  The show featured beautiful airport themed props and tarps. They had gorgeous costumes and flags. It was the first ever gold medal that Woodland had ever earned.

Some other shows from last year were “Wild Geese.” “Disco Forever.” and “Hope.” Hope had a spectacular double-time rifle feature and an amazing flag feature. Wild Geese placed fourth overall in the Independent World Class. Disco Forever really captured the name of their show, all of the peppy energy really captivated me.

The program doesn’t just feature Guard shows. They also do percussion and wind. I recommend watching them because they don’t get as much recognition as guards do. Plus their shows are amazing and the music is phenomenal.

If someone is interested in watching any past shows or watching WGI live this year, here are some links:

Pride of Cincinnati 2025- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Su2NQdBO_QE&list=RDSu2NQdBO_QE&start_radio=1

Woodland High School 2025- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgecilNdWhc

Where to watch live- https://www.flomarching.com/signup?utm_medium=partner&utm_source=wgi.org&utm_content=signup&utm_term=partnerwebsite&contract_id=0063m00000hett9aaa

Slicers interested in Winter Guard should attend tryouts on 11/17 and 11/18 from 5:30-8 at LPHS. Here are some things that potential team members can do to prepare.

If guard members have access to guard equipment after school, get someone who is interested to help go over anything they may be struggling with. This can go the same with even other things besides flag. Rifle and even dance technique can be something to go over with a friend.

If someone does get into Winter Guard, I recommend recording the guard work that is given to practice with when at home. Speaking of, practicing at home helps members remember the work before a competition or a practice.

If a member has work or has any events going on that interfere with certain days of the week that you may have practice, make sure you let someone know to move your schedule to your available days. Competitions and practices will take up most of the time during the school year. Most competitions will take place on the weekend, which can take all day.

Get materials that may be needed throughout the season now. Take a weekend to head to a local store to get materials for your flag, rifle, and even just for guard. I would recommend getting electrical tape for flag and rifle, makeup, thick pads to put on a rifle, and deodorant. I would get black and white electrical tape since it is unlikely to use colored tape.

With all of these in mind, I hope this helps Slicers prepare for the upcoming winter season. I really hope that if anyone does try out for it that you enjoy it as much as I will.

If a Slicer comes to the tryouts, go into the high school at door 19. The tryouts will begin in the band room. See you there!

The LPHS Athletic Department hosted a Trick or Treat to raise money for Champions Together on October 23rd.

According to its website, Champions Together is a partnership between IHSSAA and the Special Olympics. This allows students with disabilities to learn about sports leadership among their peers.

The Trick or Treat event lasted from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and took place in the main gym, fieldhouse, and outside of the cafeteria.

Each sport and club was spread out around the halls and passed out candy to children. Each group usually does an activity with the kids. As the weather gets colder and the days get darker, this is a safe environment for the young slicers.

“Our students do an excellent job of interacting with the kids that come in,” Steve Santana, athletic director, said.

This year LPHS raised $3105, beating the goal of $1,500. It was $5 for each kid who attended.

Over the summer, I would go downtown to several antique shops to find my favorite thing to collect--childhood toys.

Usually I collect the toys that I played with the most as a kid. For example, I really like collecting My Little Ponies. It was my favorite show as a kid, and I had tons of them. I currently have the main six plus a few extra characters. I also collect some of the older generations as well because I also used to watch the older ones when I was younger.

I’ve also gotten back into collecting dolls, too. Most of the dolls I currently have are from Ever After High and Monster High. I get them from both Antique stores and Comic stores. I recommend Coachman Antique Mall, Bennetts Up Towne Shop, and Monroes Collectables Toys & Comics. All of these stores are located in LaPorte.

If one wants to find dolls out-of-box or second-hand, I think a comic store would be a better option. This is because the dolls that are usually in thrift stores are very “well-loved.” Comic stores usually take good care of the dolls, making sure that dolls are in good condition before being sold.

I have been collecting for the past few years. It has helped me reshape my childhood that I ended early. Doing these things has always brought me joy in life and is something that I recommend for anyone.

If anyone is in the La Porte area and needs something to do while in town, I recommend going to Coachman Antique Mall. They have everything there, from random trinkets to favorite childhood toys that will bring back memories.

LPMB has been working hard this season to prepare for the upcoming competition--Prelims, which determines which teams will compete at State.

The band has competed at several competitions across Indiana and one in Illinois. They placed 5th at Victor J Andrew, 3rd at Carroll High School, and 4th at Penn High School. These competitions have helped the band improve on their foot technique, field etiquette, and choreography.

LPMB participated in the annual LaPorte High School homecoming parade on Monday. The band will participate in the Pep Rally on Friday and perform pregame at the football game. This will all lead up to Prelims on Saturday, where the band will compete at Plymouth High School.

“I am so excited for the Prelims! We have worked so hard this season, and the show looks amazing! I know that we are going to walk off the competition field on Saturday knowing that our season won't be ending,” Erica Petrie, drum major, said.

The top 10 in each class will compete at ISSMA State Finals at Franklin High School.

Last year I was given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit the 9/11 memorials across the US. They changed my perspective that I once had on it before.

Before the DC trip was even mentioned, I hadn’t really thought about it. Anytime teachers would talk about it, it never really hit me the way that it did since I wasn't born yet. When the week of the DC Trip came, my perspective changed drastically. I felt more connected to it after hearing all the stories and seeing things that were salvaged from the towers. It brought more light into my perspective of 9/11.

The first place that I visited was the Flight 93 memorial in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. The memorial was to honor the lives that were lost during the flight. It tells the stories of all of the people and their povs on how they fought against the hijackers. I never thought about Flight 93 as being that bad, but the more stories I've heard, the more it made my perspective change.

When I arrived in Arlington, the first place we went to was the Pentagon Memorial. Walking around you'll find these stone slates that have the names of the victims who died inside the Pentagon when the plane crashed into it. Just looking at some of the things families will put next to their name always will make me cry. It makes me happy that they are still getting recognition after all these years.

By the end of the trip, we went to New York City to visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. In the museum, they're many different spots that show many different stories that occurred that day. One thing that stuck out to me was the wall of people who passed away in the towers. It breaks my heart seeing that all of those people had a life and tragically.

After visiting these memorials, it made me think back to all the times my parents and teachers would tell me about 9/11, most of them skipping the details that occurred that day or not mentioning some of the events at all. Every year on 9/11, I always think about the stories that I was told, and I even tell them to my own friends.

I really recommend going to the Flight 93 memorial. It was the first place that really changed my perspective on 9/11. It shows so many things, and you're able to explore so much in one space. However, if you're in New York City at any point, really go and visit the memorial. Going to them will really change your life like it did mine.