For the 84 students just inducted into the Technical Honor Society representing Porter County Career and Technical Education, the "new normal" meant no big gathering with extended families to celebrate their accomplishment.
Instead, educators and supporters of the Career Center have been having fun planting yard signs and delivering certificates and other goodies to the newly minted members.
Most of them drove around the district on May 9, practicing social distancing, and were excited to greet students, parents, and even some grandparents and other family members.
Students selected represent 10 high schools, including Boone Grove, Chesterton, Hebron, Hobart, Kouts, Morgan Twp., Portage, Valparaiso, Washington Twp., and Wheeler. The 84 inductees represent the best of more than 1,100 half-day students in programs ranging from Welding to Fire and Rescue to Early Childhood Education.
A permanent plaque will honor these students at the Career Center, 1005 N. Franklin St., Valparaiso.
- Andres Acosta, Hobart
- Andrew Anderson, Hobart
- Juan (John) Beron, Washington Twp.
- Isaac Bowser, Chesterton
- Jamie Briel, Valparaiso
- Daniel Bruno, Portage
- Dawson Burkhart, Wheeler
- Marissa Carlson, Valparaiso
- Indria Carver, Portage
- Wesley Cavinder, Hebron
- Sarah Chavez, Kouts
- Trinity Collins, Hobart
- Kylee Corman, Boone Grove
- Katherine Davis, Kouts
- Sydney Dixon, Boone Grove
- Madison Elizondo, Portage
- Margaret Evanauskas, Portage
- John Fabian, Hobart
- Tiffany Figueroa, Portage
- Steven Finley, Washington Twp.
- Francesca Flores, Portage
- Gillian Galinsky, Portage
- William Gillio, Hobart
- Leonard Gonzales, Hebron
- Carter Gonzalez, Hobart
- Alex Gurekovich, Kouts
- Abigayle Hafner, Chesterton
- Farrah Hohrun, Portage
- Kailey Ivers, Portage
- Alexander Jackson, Valparaiso
- Samuel Jones, Boone Grove
- Violet Joseph, Chesterton
- Logan Kiel, Portage
- Jordan Killosky, Chesterton
- Destanee King, Portage
- Shelby Klimczak, Wheeler
- Alexander Kobus, Boone Grove
- Clay Kraus, Boone Grove
- James Kraus, Boone Grove
- Leiara Lara, Valparaiso
- Kassidy Laskowski, Portage
- Karlie Lemmons, Morgan Twp.
- Madelynn Lessard, Chesterton
- Pablo Lopez, Portage
- Jacob Lowe, Portage
- Andrew Lozano, Valparaiso
- Kaitlyn Mackovyak, Portage
- Joshua Martakis, Morgan Twp.
- Brisa Martinez, Portage
- Brianna Merritt, Hobart
- Logan Mersman, Valparaiso
- Justin Meyer, Kouts
- Jessica Missey, Wheeler
- Humberto Morales, Portage
- Keara Murphy, Valparaiso
- Lauren Olszowka, Hebron
- Rachel Pate, Boone Grove
- Madisyn Perry, Wheeler
- Alyssa Ramos, Boone Grove
- Austyn Rentschler, Valparaiso
- Jackson Roberts, Chesterton
- Jamie Rodriguez, Chesterton
- Spencer Ross, Valparaiso
- Joseph Roytan, Valparaiso
- Emmaline Rutkowski, Valparaiso
- Jacob Schacki, Boone Grove
- Zyaire Shermon, Portage
- Jack Shifley, Wheeler
- Whitney Siewin, Chesterton
- Emma Slusser, Hebron
- Andrew Standiford, Valparaiso
- Baylee Steele, Valparaiso
- Peter Stocker, Valparaiso
- Emily Stowers, Morgan Twp.
- Alec Strubel, Boone Grove
- Caden Toczek, Hebron
- Alicia Trauscht, Valparaiso
- Katherine Vessely, Valparaiso
- Anna Vettickal, Wheeler
- Douglas Waters Jr., Chesterton
- Brooke Wilcox, Valparaiso
- Paige Wisner, Boone Grove
- Emma Wynkoop, Hebron
- Jonathan Zuniga, Portage