LPMB officially kicked off for its 2026/2027 marching band season. The show’s theme is called “Dragondance.”

Dragondance will feature music from How to Train Your Dragon and from Tangled.

The color guard section leaders for this year include junior Olivia Surowiec as the rifle captain and senior Natalie McGhee as flag captain and band president. They are both ready to put the guard to work and create a beautiful show.

“This season I think will show something different from our band and will create a story that everyone will love,” McGhee said.

This year's drum major is senior Mya Moore, and she will also be the flute section leader for the band.

There have been many new things added to this program including a Marching Band Boot Camp and a parent preview show.

The Marching Band Boot Camp is a six week program that takes place before the first week of parade camp. Members are given one exercise per week that is dependent on what section they are in. It is also competition based. By the end of the six weeks, They will see which section wins. This also includes the staff as well.

The six week program basically allows members to get themselves used to different techniques that they will need for their section or just in general for marching band.

The parent preview show will be on August 22. This shows what the band has been working on throughout show camp.

If any student is interested in doing color guard, there will be three more training meetings that will be held every Wednesday for the rest of the month. They will be held in the fieldhouse, but students will meet in the band room first. In order for someone to spin a flag or rifle, they must turn in a medical form. Turn in the form to Ms. McGuire and email her for any questions.

Anyone still interested in joining marching band can register under a Google form. Email Mr. Clark, Mr. Sullivan, or Ms. Gamble for more information.

The groups are excited for this year and cannot wait to see what comes. Please wish the LPMB luck for their 2026 season!

The Winter Guard International Open Class (WGI) and World Class finals took place from April 9 to 11.

Several different classes perform each year: World, Regional A, A Class, and Open Class. Open Class and World Class are competitive classes, while Regional A is more of a non-competitive level.

Scoring takes place in several different categories: equipment, general effect, timing, movement, and design. All of them are scored under all of these categories; however, the amount that they are scored are different.

In the scholastic world, which features high school teams, Arcadia, Flanagan, and Avon. Avon took third place with a score of 96.700, Flanagan took second place with 97.900, and Arcadia took first with a score of 98.850.

Arcadia High School's show is entitled “reWIRED.” Their show was unique and had several different elements of technique. The show consisted of acro and tumbling, with different props. My favorite part is when they send sabres down a wire, almost like a zipline.

“Alternate Worlds” was performed by Avon High School. Avon has had a history at WGI, winning worlds in 2024 and breaking the record in score. I personally really enjoyed this show. I thought it was unique and was portrayed well.

In the independent world category, the top three groups were Fusion Winter Guard, Paramount, and Etude. Fusion took first place with a score of 97.400, Paramount in 2nd place with a score of 97.300, and Etude in third with a score of 94.550.

I’d also like to mention some other shows, such as “Follow Me, or How to Start A Movement,” a show performed by Paramount Winter Guard. Vox Artium had their World Class and A Class performances, “When Spring Yearns for Winter” performed by World Class, and “The Heart Remembers You” performed by their A class.

Overall, WGI went well this year and I cannot wait for Drum Corps International (DCI) and WGI 2027. If people are interested in recaps and anything marching news, head to https://www.flomarching.com/.

“ALTERNATE WORLDS”- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9PLNWrsLiQ

“REWIRED”- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsuOmi6jGfM

Fashion is subjective. What one loves, another hates. Pants are no exception.

Peyton:

I’m Peyton, and I think baggy jeans are better than sweatpants. Most of the time, a good pair of baggy jeans is great for a night out, work, or even a date. Baggy jeans are versatile, which makes them so much better.

Becca:

I’m Rebecca, and I believe baggy jeans aren’t very comfortable. They are usually not the cheapest, especially when people are looking for the best quality. That is why sweatpants are better.

Peyton:

Baggy jeans have shown time and time again to always stay in the fashion world. From the 1990s until now, baggy jeans have stayed in style. Regardless of gender, many people love  good baggy jeans, whether the jeans are as big as a parachute or the style of a mom jean. Baggy jeans come in many styles for different people.

Becca:

Sweatpants can be cute and comfortable. There are many different styles, from cuffed to baggy. They come in almost any color and shade that someone can think of, which makes them match almost any T-shirt or tank top color.

Peyton:

In my opinion, baggy jeans have a 10/10 on the comfort scale. They fit all types of people. They are flexible. Not only are they incredibly comfortable to sit in, but they are also great to walk around in. These jeans are comfortable to the skin, not squeezing too tightly, making it unbreathable.

Becca:

Working out in sweatpants is easy. Sweat sets can not only be worn on a regular basis but also when you work out. A sweat set is a two-piece outfit usually with a zipper jacket and sweatpants. People can be cute while working out.

Peyton:

Baggy jeans can be welcome at all occasions. They work for a night out with friends, a nice dinner party, or even birthday parties. People are able to wear them in the winter with a cute sweater or in the summer with a pretty blouse, and can even work with a nice shirt and heels. That is one of the many reasons why many are in love with baggy jeans. Baggy jeans have a breathable waistband, too, and even if someone wants a looser fit and a tight waistband, they use belts to style and wear them comfortably.

Becca:

Sweatpants are affordable and can be found everywhere. Usually, jeans can cost $40, and even if they are cheaper, the quality is cheap. With sweatpants, one can find any pair for pretty cheap, and they’re comfortable no matter what. Usually, even when they’re a different style, most of the time it is the same price, even if they’re different colors.

Peyton:

Baggy jeans have a variety of sizes and fit all types of shapes. Many people, including me, love to see how the different types of jeans can fit better. They are fashionable in every style. To teenagers, styling the baggy jeans is even for moms who create an everyday outfit. Men may have been the ones to first wear the loose jeans, but women have also learned to love the baggy jeans, too. Not only are they versatile in style, but also in color; they range from dark blue, black, light blue, and tan.

Peyton:

Even though sweatpants are comfortable, they are not always the best pants to wear. Sweatpants can become itchy after a long time, like on a summer day, and can get dirty with fur and lint quickly. Talking about the looks of the sweatpants, cuffed sweatpants are not popular much anymore, though people still love the flared sweats.

Becca:

Even though baggy jeans are cute and stylish, they aren’t exactly the most comfortable. Whenever jeans get stained, it is hard to get them out, especially when it comes to grass stains. Sweatpants can be cute, stylish, and comfortable; people can wear them out. They are a generational staple and are very popular because of the Y2K aesthetic.

Peyton & Becca:

To conclude, in Peyton’s opinion, many love baggy jeans. They are breathable, stylish, and adorable. In Rebecca's opinion, sweatpants are better than jeans because they are comfortable, cheaper, stylish, and a generational staple.

Another class that I would recommend is Animal Science, which is the second class in the Principles of Agriculture being first and Advanced Animal Science or Animals 1 and 2 being the last. Ms. England teaches the class, and students learn several different concepts. In order to take this class, students must be a sophomore, junior, or senior.

If a student is under the Academic Honors Diploma or has finished taking the Introduction to Agriculture, this would be the next class. Animal Science counts as a science elective, so if a student is under that diploma, they can take it for that credit. Normally, this class is also a dual credit class, which students will need to take if they’re under the Academic or Technical Honors Diploma.

In Animal Science, students will learn about the classification of animals, the animal welfare law, the introduction to small animal care, nutrition, basic cell biology, functions of animals, and other things, such as labs. The class also now has class pets. Ms. England has two Holland Loped bunnies, which will allow students to learn the basic care of rabbits and the biology.

“And of course we will be doing lots of static projects like demonstrations, presentations, and model building focusing on breeds, reproduction, nutrition and digestion, animal welfare and handling, anatomy, and biosecurity,” England said.

In Animal Science, there are several projects that students do. The class will be taking care of Holland Loped Rabbits and learning about their nutrition. Students will bottle feed goats and assist in vaccinations and health checks. The class will learn about livestock evaluation and have an actual livestock judging contest. Students will also be incubating eggs and will raise chicks.

If a student chooses to take the advanced course next year, they will be looking at animal cells through a microscope and even parasites. Students will also have the opportunity to dissect and extract DNA from fruit.

Animal Science will allow students to take Advanced Life Science, Animals 1 and 2. Advanced Life Science gives students a chance to earn a certificate in animal CPR. Students can also take Advanced Animal Science, which will talk more about the same concepts in a bigger picture.

I would recommend Animal Science to anyone who enjoys learning about animals or wants to become a veterinarian. This class will allow students to learn the basics of animal care, which will expand their career path opportunities.

Back in 2023, I adopted a cat at the Jane Bernard LaPorte County Animal Shelter. That was the beginning of our long friendship.

It was the morning of August 25, 2023. It was my 8th grade year, and that morning, my mom took me to the animal shelter. We had been eyeing Maxine for a few weeks ever since we were shown her. My mom’s friend Lindsey wanted us to adopt her, and my mom obliged.

We arrived at the shelter, and they brought us Maxine. Maxine is a tortoise mix and has a part of her ear missing. Immediately when we saw her, she was a chatty cat, but that's what made me love her.

Once everything was signed, we were able to take her home. She really didn’t like car rides. During the ride, she took comfort in my presence in the car. It made me feel like we bonded instantly.

Like most cats that are adopted, she wasn’t really fond of the house at the beginning. She hid for the first few weeks and didn't really interact with anybody. As time went on, however, she was more comfortable with everyone in the house.

Fast forward up til now, she's become the staple in the house. We spoil her with everything from food to pets. She can be demanding when she doesn’t get her way.

Nonetheless, we love her anyway. She's made a huge impact on our family. Back when we first moved to LaPorte, we had to get rid of our dog and cat. The house always felt very quiet when someone didn't hear a meow or a bark. But when we adopted Maxine, the whole family lit up. Fun fact, I even used her in the art show!

She’s helped me with my anxiety by just creating a nice presence for me. While she can be annoying at times, she's helped out my mom with her stress and her own issues.

I’m telling you this story because I believe that everyone should have a furry companion. No matter whether someone is a cat person or a dog person, or even if a person has allergies, they should have a friend.

The Jane Bernard Animal Shelter really needs people to adopt animals.  Someone can even foster a pet, which allows animals to grow in a home instead of a shelter. This allows them to stay there until someone is interested in adopting them.

If someone is interested in adopting from the animal shelter, head to their Facebook page or give them a call. They also have a website people can use. Every animal deserves a home, no matter their age.

https://laporteco.in.gov/departments-online/animal-shelter/

Scheduling can be stressful for students, especially with the extensive course offerings at LPHS. For foreign languages, Spanish is a great option. Many students will say that Spanish is really hard, and honestly, I said the same thing when I first started taking it my freshman year. However, as I continued to take the course, I really did start to enjoy it.

Spanish is taught by several different teachers. Senorita Guzman, Senor Jones, Señora Korell, and Señora Krause. Jones and Korell teach Spanish I, and Guzman teaches II and III. Krause also teaches Spanish 2, 3, and 4, as well as AP Spanish.

In Spanish I, students learn some basic grammar concepts and vocabulary. Students will also learn how to count in Spanish. They learn how to form basic sentences and explore different Spanish cultures.

Spanish II goes more in-depth when it comes to different grammar concepts, such as comparatives and superlatives. They branch off into past tense verbs and count much higher numbers.

Spanish III is a dual credit class where students learn advanced grammar concepts and vocab. They are encouraged to speak more with each other and with the teacher. Both classes are taught by Guzman and Krause.

Spanish IV or AP Spanish Language and Culture expands on both the language and culture aspects. Students learn how to understand each other with presenting, interpreting, and interpersonal skills. They learn a wide variety of vocabulary and Spanish culture. This class is taught by Krause.

For the Class of 2029, the Indiana Diploma lets students take a world language as an elective course. For their social studies credit, they need two additional credits. They can take a level three world language to count for that credit.

If a student wants the enrollment seal, then they would need to take two years of a language course. That means they would need Spanish I and II.

Spanish class has allowed me to connect with others and even teachers. I believe that learning a language is important for students, especially when they get older. So that's why I recommend Spanish.

As the scheduling process winds down for the next year, there are many classes available for students to take. One elective students can take is Journalism.

Journalism is a class taught by Ms. Parker, and students learn several different news and law elements.

“I love teaching this class because I feel like the bulk of the information I share with students is applicable to them for the rest of their lives. I am genuinely interested in all the topics, and I hope that excitement passes on to my students. Also, it’s only one semester, so students who don’t enjoy it aren’t stuck with it all year. It’s kind of a win-win for us all,” Parker said.

During the first unit, students learn about the roles of media and news determinants, the 1st Amendment, ethics, libel law, and look at an infamous journalist who completely fooled his magazine by printing fictitious articles, Steven Glass.

The next unit dives into journalistic writing with hard news. Students are given made-up stories by Parker, and they have to use the inverted pyramid to order the piece from most important to least important information. They work closely together for the first few stories and then are on their own for the final one.

There are other big projects such as a feature podcast, a news broadcast, and sometimes photography, if there is time in the semester.

Parker also teaches Newspaper, Yearbook, and Public Relations. If someone is interested in any of these classes, it is recommended to take Journalism first, but it is not required. The Class of 2029 or anyone who would like to opt into the new diploma must have a communications credit, and Journalism is one option.

I enjoyed this class my freshman year, and it helped me a lot with my writing skills. I’d recommend this class to anyone who enjoys writing.

Weather can be unpredictable in Indiana, often cancelling or delaying school for Hoosier students.

Indiana allows schools to use three posted eLearning days and unlimited amount of live e-learning days. The live e-learning days must take up about 50% of an actual school day, and there must be a certain number of students who join for the day to be counted.

La Porte has been through a wild few weeks of weather. The snow has messed with La Porte’s schedule giving them multiple days of asynchronous and synchronous eLearning days and 2-hour delays.

Asynchronous e-learning is when teachers will post assignments for students to complete that day. Students do the assignments according to what day it would be if they were at school. The assignments have to be posted by 9:00 a.m., turned in the next day, and teachers have online office hours for any students who have any questions.

Synchronous e-learning is when students join their teachers in a video session. Most of the time the teacher explains their assignments and then allows them to complete them during that call. For synchronous eLearning days, students have to be online for half the day for it to be counted. LPHS synchronous schedule starts at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 11:50 a.m. The students also get ten minute breaks in between each period.

Many students prefer the posted eLearning because they’re able to complete the assignments whenever they want during the day. While I believe that can be beneficial, many students also say that working at home can be difficult. Students are less likely to work at home than they are at school.

“I prefer eLearning because it gives me a chance to take a breather from school. I don’t have to worry about waking up bright and early to make it to school. I can just stay home in the convenience of my own home and not have to start my day off rushing to get to school,” Gabriel Guzman, sophomore LPHS student, said.

These last few weeks have been very overwhelming for me and even other students as well. We’ve had multiple eLearning days, two hour delays, and even one early dismissal. Hopefully the crazy weather is over, and we can go back to the regular routine.