#1StudentNWI: Michigan City High School’s grand finale

What’s recently happened?

This school year is nearly a wrap, with the last day of school being May 23. Graduation is quickly approaching and will be here before everyone knows it. Graduation will take place on June 4, and so many seniors are both excited and reminiscent of their time at MCHS.

Oftentimes, credit is not given enough to the many administrators and people behind the scenes at school. Brett St. Germain, the associate principal at MCHS, helps mentor and lead the student body to a successful future. 

St. Germain attended Merrillville High School, not too far from MCHS. He also attended Indiana University (IU) Bloomington for college, where he completed his bachelor’s in secondary education, as well as Olivet Nazarene University where he received his master’s in School Administration.

For administrators, no day is like the next. You’re always on your toes wondering what is to come, and sometimes, it even just sneaks up on you like the end of the school year.

Nathan Painter, a senior at MCHS, is incredibly excited about graduating in the coming weeks. Painter is an extremely accomplished student. As a distinguished graduate and an upcoming IU Bloomington student, much can be expected from him.

Painter has been in the Michigan City Area School Systems since kindergarten, beginning his education at Coolspring Elementary School, attending Barker Middle School, and now graduating from MCHS. Most recently, he’s had the opportunity to give a speech to the sixth-grade students who are now moving on to middle school. 

“It was a speech welcoming the seventh graders into their new school. It was emotional at times and very sentimental remembering how much time I spent there as a child,” said Painter. 

Painter is overjoyed to be graduating, and he is also very appreciative to the staff and teachers who helped get him where he is today. He’s not sure he would’ve been able to be one of the distinguished graduates without the assistance he received from his teachers. 

“Michigan City High School is a great school with a good community and phenomenal teachers who do their best to make you succeed. As a distinguished graduate, it took so much hard work, having to put in the extra hours of studying to succeed. I also had to be willing to sacrifice to achieve this accomplishment,” said Painter. 

This period of change can be both challenging and exciting for students, having to leave behind your old friends and comfort zone for a completely different experience. 

“I’m going to miss all of the late-night football games; they were always so much fun, and being able to cheer on your team especially when we were winning. Something else I’ll miss is playing baseball with my best friends that I have known since childhood,” said Painter. 

Despite the sadness of having to go away from friends and family, Painter is overflowing with happiness to go to IU Bloomington in the fall. He will be studying physical therapy and seeing where that can take him in the future.

“I am very excited to branch out and explore new things in my life. Having lived in Michigan City my entire life I want to meet new people and experience new things,” said Painter.