What’s recently happened?
Wheeler High School (WHS) held its National Honors Society (NHS) ceremony for new members during the 2025-2026 school year on Monday, May 19. Several incoming juniors and seniors were inducted throughout the ceremony.
During the ceremony, the pillars of NHS – leadership, character, service, and scholarship – were explained and their representative candle was lit. As the inductees were announced, they signed their names and lit their own candles to represent their commitment to the pillars.
“I am super proud of myself for being able to be in the NHS,” Sophomore Julia Pearce said.
Junior Nina Czaja is excited to be a part of the NHS next year. While she wasn’t a member of the club last year, she’s looking forward to the opportunity to make a difference in the community and set a great example for the school.
“I didn’t submit the application to be in this position last year, so I am so happy with my decision to do it this year,” Czaja said.
What’s coming up?
As the school year winds down, spring sports are nearing the end of their seasons.
WHS Boys’ Baseball finished its regular season on Friday, May 23. On Thursday, May 29, the team will be going head-to-head with Whiting High School for the first game of Sectionals.
“The tournament is the best part of the season. The team has a different kind of buzz that really turns the games up a notch,” Senior Calvin Paolone said.
Last year, WHS Boys Baseball dominated the tournament and even won Regionals.
“We have a lot of new players this year, but I’m confident we can make it far again,” Sophomore Jack Gaetz said.
WHS Girls’ Softball team finished its regular season up as well. The team has had a very strong year, finishing the regular season with a 17-7 record.
“This has been such a good senior season. I’m so proud of how the team is doing this year. Whoever we end up facing for Sectionals doesn’t stand a chance,” Senior Reagan Luedtke said.
Sectionals begin on Wednesday, May 28, and the girls will face off against Hebron High School.
“We are all pumped up for this tournament season. I know we will do our best,” Senior Isabela “Isa” Lira said.
Staff spotlight:
Dan Kenning is a science teacher at WHS. He is the head of the school’s academic teams, as he directly coaches the science academic team.
Kenning is known for teaching Earth and Space Science, along with Physics. He loves to take his classes on field trips to teach them about the subject at hand.
“I bring my Earth and Space students to the Indiana Dunes, and I take my Physics students to Great America,” Kenning said. “Great America is my favorite trip to do at the end of the year because the kids get to have fun, but the project that goes along with it reinforces what they have learned.”
This year, the Science Academic Team topic was anatomy. He was able to lead his team to the State competition, taking home a first place finish.
“I am so proud of my academic team kids. They really outdid themselves this year. I was honored to be their coach,” Kenning said.
While Kenning is the Science Academic Team coach, he coordinates activities in additional ways for the WHS students. Kenning coordinates the trip and admittance to the Purdue University Northwest Academic Super Bowl competition, as well as the academic competition that is held at WHS.
“It is one of my favorite things to assist these teams and see how well they all do,” Kenning said.
Many students are very fond of Kenning and his style of teaching. Earth and Space is a very popular class, especially for the juniors at WHS.
“I took Kenning’s Earth and Space class this year because I heard many good things about him and the class itself,” Junior Clara Davis said. “I ended up really enjoying it, and I might take Physics next year to have him as my teacher again.
Outside of school, Kenning loves to spend time with his wife and three kids.
Student spotlight:
Nina Czaja is a junior at WHS. She has recently been inducted into the NHS.
“I wanted to join last year, but ultimately decided not to,” Czaja said. “This year I came to the conclusion that I should do it, and I’m excited to get started.”
Czaja is a cheerleader during football season. She loves being able to watch the game from the sidelines and hype up the crowd.
“Friday nights are my favorites. I love getting to cheer with my teammates and have fun with them,” Czaja said.
Czaja is part of the Health and Science vocational course held at Portage. She has learned about all of the body systems, finding a greater passion and understanding for science.
“Taking this vocational course has made me realize that I want to go towards dentistry. I don’t think I would have thought about it had I taken another class,” Czaja said.
While Czaja has developed a passion for dentistry, she has a strong admiration for the friends she has made from this opportunity.
“I haven’t just learned a lot from the course, but I have made so many friends and deepened connections with others,” Czaja said. “It has benefited me both in my education and social aspects.”
Czaja has enjoyed her vocational course. She plans to continue with the dentistry course during her senior year.
