GreatNews.Life Student Voices: Bishop Noll Institute is back in session

What’s recently happened?

Summer is officially over and school is back in session. Bishop Noll Institute (BNI) is back to break records, win games, and grow in faith. BNI has opened the door to the largest enrollment in the past two decades with 750 kids, most from the class of 2029. BNI has also welcomed 13 additional staff members. 

Incoming seniors got the chance to paint parking spots on August 7. The parking lot is now filled with bright colors and fun themes. 

“It was so hot, but it was worth it for the memories of my senior year,” said Senior Gracie Garcia. 

The first day of school was on August 21. The hallways were filled with upperclassmen helping underclassmen finding classes and lots of smiles. 

Fall sports and activities are already bringing in wins. The Boys Soccer team got its first win of the season against Hammond Central High School with a score of 7-1. The Girls Gold team Hobart High School for the 19th annual Lady Brickie Gold Invite and became back-to-back champions.   

“The Brickie Scramble was so much fun because I was able to play with my team and have a good time,” said Senior and First Year Golf Player Victoria Quiroga.

The first retreat of the year was for the juniors for Kairos. This year, the retreat was four days and three nights. Students were able to separate themselves from their busy schedules and be able to connect with God and their classmates. 

“I loved the free time. There were a lot of fun activities and it gave us a chance to interact and hang out with new people, making good memories,” Junior Kaelyn Lee said. 

What’s coming up?

Homecoming is right around the corner on September 20. BNI is excited to prepare for the dance with Spirit Week. The dress up days are Surfers versus Bikers, Anything but a Backpack Day, Country versus Country Club, Monochromatic Day, and Warrior Wear, which is all blue and gold. On 19th, the band will play music throughout the hallways which will be followed by a Pep Rally on the football field. 

BNI’s theater department is putting on two shows this fall. “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” as the musical and “Teach Me How To Cry” as the play. The musical will be on October 16-18 at 7 p.m., and October 19 at 2 p.m. The musical is an experience of laughter, joy, and timeless charm. 

“I am beyond excited. I have the honor of playing Schroeder, which marks my fifth production. I’m so grateful for this opportunity, and would love to invite everyone to come and enjoy the show,” Junior Jhoan Perez Pravia said. 

The play premieres on November 14 and runs through November 16 and 21-23. The show is about a sad girl who hides her emotions and a boy that moves from place to place. They find each other and the boy helps the girl be more open as they go through challenges such as parental neglect. 

“I’m excited to be in the play and it is special because this is my first production,” Sophomore Francisca Flores said. 

Staff spotlight:

Doctor Janell Harvey is the introduction to marketing and strategic marketing teacher at BNI. She graduated from Purdue University and Stephen’s College, and first started her teaching career as an adjunct at Purdue University in 2002. Harvey then was hired at DeVry University, becoming a professor. She later moved to the high school setting and taught at BNI for a semester. This is her third consecutive year at BNI. 

In high school, she went to the Hammond Area Career Center where she studied broadcasting and marketing. Harvey always had an interest and wanted to be a meteorologist or to be on television. She thought that she wanted a career where she could benefit people so she landed on teaching. Harvey’s mom has teacher qualities that inspired her to become one. 

“My mom has always been an inspiration and an edifying person. She’s admirable with the impact she leaves on others. She’d always buy me books and journals to write and learn,” said Harvey. 

Harvey’s favorite thing about BNI is the students. They are kind hearted, respectful, and have the will to learn which makes it worth being here. Her favorite thing about teaching strategic marketing is that it is hands on and working with businesses outside of the school. 

At BNI, Harvey is the advisor for the Business Honor Society (BHS) and Future Business Leaders of America. She enjoys being able to connect kids to professionals and giving out awards at the end of the year. This is the second year that BHS has been at BNI. A student from the class of 2025 had the idea of wanting to start up this society and brought it to the attention of the business teachers at BNI. 

In Harvey’s free time, she likes to write and cook. She has published three books and more than 20 articles. One of the books is about fundraising for Christian organizations and another about marketing. Harvey likes to cook Mexican dishes. 

She has been married to her husband for 15 years and has two sons. Harvey likes to go bowling and watch movies with her family. Her favorite movie to watch is “Ghostbusters.” 

Harvey is ready for the new school year to go into motion. 

“I’m excited to meet all the new students. We have a lot of new freshmen and I want to make sure that they are successful,” said Harvey. 

Student spotlight:

Senior Kelly Lopez is planning on majoring in nursing to become a nurse practitioner with a focus on radiology, and hopes to do so at Purdue University. When she was growing up, she didn’t see many Hispanic or women healthcare workers. She is also bilingual so she wants to have people feel comfortable and welcomed going to hospitals without language barriers. 

“I love helping people and want them to know that I can assist them,” said Lopez. 

At BNI she has been the varsity hockey manager for all four years, golf player for two years, Dedicated Disciples Club, Yoga Club, Multicultural Club, Hispanic Student Union, and a STEM camp counselor. Her favorite thing is being the hockey manager because she is still involved without playing and has made good friends. Her favorite professional teams are the Chicago Blackhawks, New Jersey Devils, and the San Jose Sharks. 

“When I was little I’d watch hockey with my dad and I’ve always been into sports ever since then,” said Lopez. 

Lopez has accomplished getting all A’s and B’s throughout high school. She’s looking forward to going to the academic banquet at the end of the year. She is also excited for a variety of senior activities such as the hockey season, Senior Sunset, and going to Prom since she didn’t go last year. 

Her goals for the school year are to maintain or improve her grade point average, receiving a scholarship, and getting into a good college. Her favorite memory from BNI is making friends her freshman year, especially a senior that was a good role model for her. 

Lopez loves BNI because it is a small but growing community where the teachers and counselors get to know the student better.

Lopez’s favorite class she has taken is Dual Credit (DC) United States History class her junior year because it was fun and learned a lot. She is excited to take DC Biology because it will give her a taste of what being a nursing student will be like.

In her free time, she likes to build legos, going to the gym, hiking, reading, and baking. Lopez’s favorite book is Wonder and her favorite thing to bake is pumpkin cream cheese cupcakes.