What’s recently happened?
On August 17, Wheeler High School (WHS)’s Cross Country team debuted its first season by hosting the annual Bearcat Invite. Due to the construction of new sports fields on campus, the race was held at the Gabis Arboretum at Purdue University Northwest. This turned out to be a phenomenal course, as it went through fields and trees.
“The scenery changing and having new things to look at the whole time definitely made the course so much better,” said Sophomore Noehmi Lopez.
Boone Grove High School, Calumet New Tech High School, East Chicago Central High School, Bishop Noll Institute, John Glenn High School, Morgan Township High School, River Forest High School, and Whiting High School all had athletes run in the Bearcat Invitational.
Morgan Township won overall for the girls teams with runners Isabella Bryan, Peyton Bucher, Dana Abbring, Shae Bucher, and Vanessa Parsons placing top five.
WHS placed second with Rowan Kruszka, Lane Goodrich, and Alexia Oroz all placing in the top 15.
“For my first high school race, I was so excited that I placed,” said Kruszka.
John Glenn placed first as a team with Ben Pranger, Dylan Albright, Hunter Dupont, Logan Alexander, Wiley Knapp, and Keagan Kaminski placing in the top 15.
Bishop Noll placed second. Joshua Fierros, Sergio Meza, and Samuel Fowler placed in the top 15 for Hammond.
“I placed fourth overall for my first race. I know I can beat that,” said WHS Freshman Andrew Camp.
The invite went very smoothly and all of the runners ran the best race they could.
What’s coming up?
Friday nights in the fall tend to be an exciting time for most high schools with the thrill of playing in a football game, cheering for one, or having fun in the stands.
This past Friday, WHS went head-to-head with Hanover Central High School. Even though the game took place at Hanover, many WHS students went to the game to support their football team.
“It was a far drive, but it was so worth it,” said Junior Briella Woods.
However, this upcoming game is at home against Kankakee Valley High School. This will be WHS’s first official home game of the season.
“Home games are my favorite thing to go to with my friends,” said Senior Reagan Luedtke.
Staff spotlight:
Robert Kania is the biology, chemistry, and anatomy teacher at WHS. His favorite subject to teach is anatomy.
“I think it’s the most interesting subject you can teach. Showing the kids how to do dissections and teaching them what they want to know is an amazing experience,” said Kania.
He is actively trying to turn his anatomy class into an AP anatomy class, but the AP test is not ready yet. Kania contacted the makers of the test, and they have asked him to help with the process.
“Not many people take anatomy just because it isn’t AP or dual credit, but if I can find a way to change that, I will,” said Kania.
Kania is the sponsor for Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA). He brings in medical workers to talk to students and teach them about the medical field.
Although his classes are tough, Kania makes sure that the students learn what he is teaching. He gives labs for the students to do in class to prove that what he is teaching works. The labs allow the students to be hands-on and have fun, while still learning science.
Student spotlight:
Titus Parrish is a junior at WHS. He is in honors classes and National Honor Society and is a tri-sport athlete. He participates in his church community and is a referee for Little League games.
A 4.0 as a junior with many extracurriculars is a tough feat, but Parrish has managed to accomplish it. He has taken many honors classes throughout high school and is currently in AP Calculus and Honors English. This year, he was inducted into the National Honor Society.
Parrish participates in cross country, swimming, and track and field. He has recently run in the Bearcat Invite and Dave Walker Invitational. Parrish’s all-time personal record (PR) for the 5K race is 20:32. At the Bearcat Invite, he hit 20:40, only eight seconds away from his PR. He is projected to PR very soon. His goal this season is to break 20 minutes.
“Any type of PR is a PR. One second or more, but under 20 is what I’m working for,” said Parrish.
Parrish has taken up a leadership role on the cross-country team. So many of the underclassmen look up to him and his work ethic.
“I always try to see what Titus is doing so I can see if I’m doing the workout right,” said Sophomore Ben Gutwein.
During track season, Parrish would run distance events including the 800 meter, 4x800 meter relay, and the mile.
Parrish joined the swim team last year, his sophomore year of high school. He was a total beginner but quickly picked up the different strokes. His main event was the 100 breaststroke. Joining the team led him to become a swim instructor.
Working and teaching younger kids is one of Parrish’s passions.
At his church, he is a kids ministry teacher, a youth leader, and worship team leader for kids his age and for younger kids as well. He loves showing others how to lead and the importance of God in his life.
He has also taken up the job of refereeing Little League football and basketball games.
“I love seeing the kids learn from me, whether it be swimming, worshiping, or simply good sportsmanship,” said Parrish.
