What’s recently happened?
While June may have marked the beginning of summer for students at Morgan Township High School (MTHS), the students were still active within their community and school.
Graduation took place on June 4 at MTHS, with speeches from the two valedictorians: Jett Gheaja and Greta Pressel. During the ceremony, the class of 2025 officially began their lives outside of high school. However, many of them are still deeply involved in the Morgan Township community.
The MTHS Band went to New York on June 5, following its performance at graduation. The band members had a trip jam-packed with exciting and new experiences.
The band members, along with their adult chaperones, were able to experience tours of important places, such as Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, and the 9/11 Memorial Museum. The trip was not only an educational experience for the students, but also one filled with entertainment.
The MTHS Band was also able to attend a Broadway production of “Hadestown,” a musical centered around the myths of Orpheus, Eurydice, Hades, and Persephone. They also visited the Intrepid Aircraft Carrier, and band members had the opportunity to perform on the flight deck of the carrier.
“The trip was amazing. I enjoyed being able to spend time in Time Square and see it when it's less crowded and when it's in full swing. I liked the amount of sightseeing that we did through tours and exploring,” Jole Shultz, MTHS band member, said. “My favorite part was seeing the musical Hadestown. Listening to it online and seeing it in person was a big change, and it was a wonderful experience.”
What’s coming up?
The slogan “Rooted in tradition, growing for tomorrow” is the official staple sentence for the 2025 Porter County Fair. This is an annual summertime event that will span from July 17-26 this summer.
The Porter County Fair is an important part in the lives of many people in Morgan Township. Countless students from across the Region partake in 4-H, a nonprofit organization that aims to give young people opportunities they may not have otherwise had. 4-H members participate in different projects which are judged by mostly community volunteers.
These projects can be anywhere from woodworking to showing cattle. They allow young people in Morgan Township to both show off their talents and become involved in an organization that introduces them to leadership and responsibility.
“4-H is special to me because, though we are competitive, we still look out for each other like one big family,” 4-H Member Haley Casbon said. “It’s cool to watch everyone chip in and help.”
Plenty of 4-H exhibits will be displayed at the Expo Center during the Porter County Fair, and livestock judging will take place as well. During this time, those who attend the fair are encouraged to take a look at 4-H projects and talents of its members. However, there is much more that comes with the Porter County Fair.
Several musical artists, such as Ludacris and Zach Top, are performing during the Porter County Fair. Tickets are currently on sale, but only for a limited time.
There will also be different events, such as the Truck and Tractor pull on July 23 and the Demolition Derby on July 25. These events are community staples, and many residents who live in the Morgan Township district often come to the fair and participate in them, especially the Demolition Derby. These events are a hit with both children and adults.
The Porter County Fair would not be complete without a plethora of great food and rides. Countless food vendors will serve desserts, snacks, and full meals at the fair, while exhilarating rides will also pop up at the fairgrounds.
"The fair is a place where all kinds of people from all walks of life come together to just have fun. You never know how different everyone is until you see them all pull up to win fair prizes and eat greasy food,” said Rebecca Bruce, who works at the Porter County Fair every summer.
Community member spotlight:
Deborah Good is a longtime member of the Morgan Township community. She is a member of Rotary International and the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).
“I have been involved with the school and community for many years. I was a room mother, a T-ball softball coach, junior high cheerleading coach, and, for the last couple of years, a substitute teacher,” Good said. “I am the Rotary sponsor to the Interact service club at MTHS, where I meet with almost 70 amazing service-oriented members every two weeks of the academic calendar year. Otherwise, I help where needed.”
Good has lived in Morgan Township for most of her life, and both her children and grandchildren have attended MTHS. Her grandchildren participate in a wide variety of activities, from cross country to choir. Good and her family make an effort to attend all of the events.
“Morgan Township is a very small community; the school is the community. Most of the activities in Morgan Township revolve around the school in one way or another,” Good said. “My favorite events or activities are any that my grandchildren and their friends are involved in from their many sporting events, Drama Club productions, band and choir concerts, and academic competitions. It is impossible for me to pick one favorite event.”
Good has been a Rotarian for 20 years, and she has served as the Rotary Youth Engagement Coordinator for almost the same amount of time. Good has also joined local members of DAR to clean cemeteries, host clothing drives, and to extensively research genealogy.
“I encourage anyone who can to get involved in their community. I am not going to preach about the benefits of giving back to one's community. I am only going to tell people to try it,” Good said. “There is no better way to understand it than to experience it. You will be a changed person.”
