GreatNews.Life Student Voices: Munster mentors new students

What’s coming up?

Clanking gears, perfectly engineered robots, and long hours in a workshop are what people typically expect when they think about robotics. In reality, there is far more that goes into having a successful robotics team. 

There are middle and elementary school teams that the high school team is expected to mentor and encourage so that they can continue robotics when they reach high school. Once the students become high schoolers, they are then further mentored by experienced members so they can be prepared to use the tools necessary to build a robot.

“Every year we have tool training, which teaches the new members how to use tools effectively, ” junior Fawwaz Shareef said. 

This year, the robotics team had an influx of new members, allowing students to divide the work evenly and take more time to create the best robot possible. 

“What I’m mainly looking forward to this year is having a big enough team to keep everyone busy and engaged,” Shareef said.

The Kickoff is happening Jan. 10, which is the beginning of the season. At the Kickoff, it is revealed what skills the robot needs to have. 

“The Kickoff is robotics coming together as a club and getting to know each other even better. It promotes collaboration amongst not only our new members but also our senior members,” Senior Michael Wesley said. 

What’s happened recently?

On Dec. 5, Munster High School (MHS) Student Government stayed after school and decorated the Commons with a Winter Wonderland theme. Snowflakes were hung from the ceiling, balloon Christmas trees were assembled and put on display, and photo ops were put up throughout the entrance of the school. 

The Student Government did this to raise excitement for the Winter Formal in January and get people into the holiday spirit as the semester comes to a close. Student Government hopes to bring MHS some cheer and excitement to lessen the stress of finals week and remind students that winter break is right around the corner.

There are balloon arches and comfy chairs, table cloths and stuffed polar bears greeting people as they walk from the cold air outside to the warm school. 

Staff Spotlight:

Clubs provide students with opportunities to connect with their peers and find what is important to them. Beyond this, club sponsors get a chance to learn more about their students and share their passion with young adults.

Munster High School teacher, Kristen Szafasz, is the sponsor of the Link Crew, Sophomore CEC, Civics Club, and SADD. Szafasz has been teaching for 17 years, and she is an alumnus of MHS, making the building extra special to her.

“I think the idea of coming back to a place that you were super happy at made me want to teach at MHS,” Szafasz said.

Sponsoring clubs has allowed Szafasz to grow a stronger connection with her students; they are able to find a common interest and cement a bond.

“A fun part of high school is that kids get to do things not in the classroom. I think one of the best ways to get to know your students is if you coach or sponsor them, and they get to see you outside of the classroom,” Szafasz said.

Student Spotlight:

 Loud cheering and chatter fill the stadium. Over the booming loudspeaker, a man with a thundering voice announces, “Now, please give a round of applause to the Munster High School Marching Mustangs, as they perform their piece for the 2025 season titled, ‘Finding Home.’” As this announcement overflows the stadium, the marching band paces onto the field.

A hush falls over the once blaring crowd.

The conductor stands at the front of the field, lifts up his arms, and the band simultaneously lifts up their instruments. Then, the first note is heard.

Among the perfect rows of students stands junior Sydney Orozco playing the saxophone. This is her third year in the marching band, but she still feels the same adrenaline rush she felt when she first performed. 

“When you’re actually performing the show, it’s so insane to see the audience just staring back at you,” Orozco said. 

Orozco did not have an easy time adjusting to being in the marching band. In her first year, the stress of practices and performances would overwhelm her as she had to balance that and school. Then, she found her place in the band and began to harmonize on the field and with her peers.

“I made a bunch of new friends and grew to be really social with them,” Orozco said. “I’ve definitely improved a lot from playing harder pieces.”

As the band continues to perform, the music crescendos to its climax. Every note and movement tells a story, and every person morphs to create a bigger picture that awes the audience. Orozco moves to face the audience along with the other saxophone players. They move as one but stand out as individuals: each person plays a crucial role in painting a picture through music and choreography. By the end of the performance, they are more than just their peers; the band members have formed bonds with each other that last. As they practice and grow closer to each other, ‘Finding Home’ becomes more than just the title of their show: it symbolizes the family they have created in marching band.

“My biggest inspiration is my section leaders. Seeing them play and march so well makes me want to improve,” Orozco said