What’s recently happened?
Saturday, May 25, 2023, was a day full of tears and final goodbyes for the senior class of Boone Grove High School.
Graduation took place in the main gym of the high school, which was filled to the brim with supportive friends and family. The graduates were adorned in white and blue caps and gowns. Many of them also had a variety of stoles representing different achievements during their time in school.
Decorations lined the walls, and a beautiful white archway was placed in the middle for students to walk through.
There were a total of 113 students who graduated, with 30 of them making it into the Academic Hall of Fame.
During the ceremony, many speeches were given, including those by the principal, other staff members, and Valedictorian Lauren Jeffries.
Her speech was beautifully written, describing what she has learned from the past four years, how her school and peers have impacted her, and, in the end, offering advice and support to her fellow graduates.
"As it turns out, we only get one life. It does not last forever. What makes it truly precious is that it does end. I say this to remind us all that time is luck. So don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Make yours count for something. Find your passion. Fight for what matters to you. And fight hard," said Jeffries.
Each student walked up to the stage to receive their diploma. At the end, they finally moved their tassels from the right to the left. A few even threw their caps in the air, celebrating their huge accomplishment.
A flood of friends and family rushed down from the bleachers to show their support and share their congratulations.
The rest of the night was packed with hugs, handshakes, and lots of pictures.
Overall, the event was memorable—a sad goodbye for the graduating class of 2023 as well as the start of a new beginning.
What’s coming up?
Gabis Arboretum is a nature preserve located at Purdue University Northwest in Valparaiso, Indiana. With more than 300 acres of different landscapes, it is truly an extraordinary place to visit.
Throughout the year, Gabis is open to the public for sightseeing, tours, and some interactive events. Boone Grove High School Key Club has volunteered there several times during the school year, mulching and working a Halloween night.
When summer finally hits, the events at Gabis become even more amazing, with concerts and a variety of camps.
TimberNook offers programs to kids ages 1-12. The programs take place in Gabis Arboretum and are designed to allow children to explore and learn through nature. Their aim is to inspire and create lasting memories and experiences for all who choose to participate.
There are a variety of different camps with different ages and dates, but all of them hope to challenge both the bodies and minds of the children who attend.
One is called "Going Wild—TimberNook Spies" and is all about creating disguises, overcoming obstacles, and coming up with codes to communicate with each other. Another, "Enchanted—TimberNook Northwest Indiana," is filled with heroes, villains, secret lairs, and potions.
The available programs are offered all throughout the month of July. These camps can potentially lead to lifelong friendships and memories.
Acorn Concert Series is another incredible event that takes place during the summer at Gabis Arboretum. With a lineup of great bands and food vendors scattered throughout, this series of shows is popular and sells out quickly.
A number of concerts are being held beginning on Friday, June 16 and continuing all the way until September 22. Musical talent like Radio Gaga, Red Not Chili Peppers, Echoes of Pompeii, The Ron Burgundys, and the Linda Ronstadt Experience are all included.
Tickets for the whole series are $95 for non-members and $25 for individual concerts.
These events are perfect for a night to relax and enjoy both music and food whether you go alone, with friends, or even with the whole family.
TimberNook and Acorn Concert Series are just two of the many wonderful experiences Gabis Arboretum is offering in the upcoming weeks.
Community member spotlight:
Marissa Barnes is the owner of Parlor Doughnuts located at 255 Morthland Dr, Valparaiso, IN. This shop is a local hotspot and is loved by many in the community.
Barnes grew up in Union Township and eventually graduated from Wheeler High School. While owning her own business was always a dream of hers, she never thought it would be a doughnut shop.
Before the opening of Parlor Doughnuts, Barnes’s career was headed in a different direction.
"My most recent five years prior to opening Parlor Doughnuts Valpo were spent as a coach/head coach at Orangetheory Fitness; oh the irony," said Barnes.
The Parlor franchise is originally based in Evansville, Indiana, and was introduced to her through family.
This business opened in June of 2022 and is home to a wide variety of food and drinks, including milkshakes, coffee, juice, breakfast foods, and, of course, the famous layered doughnuts. Parlor Doughnuts even offers keto, gluten-friendly/vegan, and dog doughnuts.
Parlor is run by a team of amazing employees. Their goal is to promote positivity and educate their workers.
"Our culture is family, love, mutual respect, and hard work," said Barnes.
Not only does this shop have great food, but it also tries to help out the community as much as possible. It has already donated almost $5,000 since its opening and has no plans to stop.
“I have a soft spot for organizations that benefit the children in our community, military or veterans, educators, healthcare workers, and first responders,” said Barnes.
In addition to this, Parlor Doughnuts organizes a Toys for Tots drive, makes gift baskets for raffles, and donates doughnuts to events.
Barnes, as well as her team, serve as an integral part of the community. They provide tasty food for everyone to enjoy and give back whenever they can.