What’s recently happened?
May has been an exceptionally busy month for the students of Washington Township High School, with award ceremonies, prom, and the end of the regular season for baseball, softball, and track.
Although the regular track season has ended, Olivia Martinez and Claire Horvath will be continuing their track seasons. Martinez placed second for long jump and Horvath placed first for high jump at sectionals, so both will continue onto the state competition.
Martinez was named to the 2022 Porter County Conference (PCC) Girls Track All Conference team for long jump, 400 meter dash, and 200 meter dash. On May 10, also set the new PCC record for long jump at 17 feet and 5 inches.
Horvath was also selected to the PCC Girls Track All Conference team for high jump. She also tied the school high jump record with a jump of 5’4” on May 26.
May 7 marks the first time in Washington Township’s history that the school won a high school academic state championship. To top off the fine art academic team’s state championship, the social studies academic team also won a state championship an hour later! The science team also placed fourth at state. The middle school also won three academic state championships this year.
May 7 was also Washington Township’s prom. Students loved participating in the grand march and dance.
High school students were also invited to an award ceremony on May 10 to receive awards for both character and academics. Students were also awarded multiple scholarships that night.
The seniors were able to participate in a parade around the elementary school while wearing their caps and gowns on May 13. They enjoyed the sense of nostalgia the elementary school brought and the children in the elementary school were excited to give them high fives and cheer them on for their accomplishments.
Middle and high school band students were able to showcase their improvements and accomplishments during their spring concert on May 17. Towards the end of the concert, senior band members were also featured to commemorate their dedication and effort while in band.
On May 15, Washington Township participated in the top 10 banquet with the two other schools in East Porter County. The top 10 banquet recognizes students ranked as the top 10 seniors, determined on grade point average.
Seniors graduated on June 1. Congratulations to the class of 2022!
What’s coming up
As the school year comes to a complete end, students are looking forward to enjoying their summer and traveling! High school students are excited to go to the beach and see their friends over the summer before going back to school in August.
Students will not return to school until August 10. Sixth graders will have their orientation on August 9 to help them acclimate to having lockers, changing classes, and the new building. There will also be a locker jamboree on August 9 so students can put supplies in their locker before the school year begins.
Staff spotlight
Sandy Walla completed her final year of teaching this year, as she is retiring. She has taught students at Washington Township for 38 years, some of which including teaching students from kindergarten to twelfth grade. Before teaching at Washington Township, she also taught at Lowell for seven years.
Both educators and students are very grateful for Walla’s dedication to students throughout the years. In addition to the art classes she taught, she also sponsored high school student council, national honor society, and academic teams. In addition to the clubs she sponsored, she also played a large role in promoting, organizing, and setting up prom for many years.
Walla’s commitment to encouraging students to pursue art is evident through the numerous art classes she provides and the art club she created for the middle school.
Student spotlight
Senior Jazzy Sagar is one of the most down to earth and hard working people you could meet. During high school, she has participated in choir, honor society, and key club.
As a member of Key club, Sagar has volunteered at many events within the community of Valparaiso. Whether it was the popcorn festival, Valpo night ride, or opportunities to help the school, she could be found putting in hard work.
Sagar’s experience and work ethic will be beneficial in achieving her goals. When explaining what she plans to do after high school, Sagar was excited for the next chapter.
“I will be attending Indiana University in Bloomington to study international law," said Sagar.
Sagar hopes to one day become an international lawyer or United States ambassador.