GreatNews.Life Student Voices: Bishop Noll Institute students wrap up the first semester

What’s recently happened?

Christmas is just around the corner with the season of giving. Senior Kelly Lopez at Bishop Noll Institute (BNI) is making a difference in East Chicago (EC) with the help of BNI students. Lopez was with the Lion Club of EC during the Mexican Independence Parade. When she was handing out toys, there was a kid that was extremely happy. She realized that there are families in the community that cannot afford toys for their children so she wanted to help out.

She set up meetings with the advisor and connected it to BNI with the help of the Student Council. Lopez had a counselor that dressed up like Santa Claus to get advertising. Another motive for students to bring in toys was for a different counselor to dress up like an elf. BNI students brought in over 400 toys for the EC Salvation Army. 

“I’m beyond grateful for everyone that helped make my dream come true. I also thank my mom who supported me through every step,” Lopez said. 

Under the new direction of Kirk Hickman, the band has been performing at different competitions all across Illinois. The band wrapped up the semester by performing in the Hammond Holiday Parade on December 6 and Christmas concert on December 12. The crowd was nodding along to the familiar tunes and were connected by the holiday spirit. 

What’s coming up?

The Boys Basketball team has been on a winning streak of a record of 5-1. The team plays at BNI against Valparaiso High School (VHS) on December 20 to wrap up 2025. New additions from the team are transfers that got the flow quickly. The boys hope to win Sectionals and get to the State Championship. 

“I would like to make another All-Conference appearance again and help my team to victory for the Sectional games,” Senior Captain Maddux Laurincik said. 

The Speech team is coming out of a third place victory from the Munster High School Varsity Speech Tournament. Viviana Luna, Stephanie Padilla, Abigail Buksa, Janelle Craig, Taylor Holland, Angelina Gaal, Fernanda Estrada, and Kimberly Padilla placed top six in their respective events. Craig and Rafael Santellano were the tournament champions in their events.

The next tournament is after break at VHS on January 19. Speech has helped students to be open and get out of their comfort zone. 

“Competing in the United States Extemporaneous Speaking has helped me retain new information for the real world. My goal is to make it to State and place higher than the top 24 to beat my record last year,” Senior Kimberly Padilla said.  

Staff spotlight:

Lorenza Jara Pastrick is a 2001 graduate from BNI. She has been the principal for 10 years. Pastrick went to Indiana University Bloomington where she majored in elementary education and also had an endorsement in health and computers. 

She then went on to teaching at Morton Elementary and then first grade at Franklin Elementary in Chicago. Pastrick came back to BNI to teach physical education, health, and computer application. She was in the process of getting her administration license when she got the opportunity to be the principal for St. Casimir for four and a half years and ended up back at BNI. 

Pastrick knew she wanted to go into education since first grade career day. She was a coach in eighth grade and loved to teach people things. Leadership opportunities during high school and college also played an active role, such as being the president of her dorm and in the residential hall association. 

“I love leadership. Having the opportunity to impact a larger community, having to find your niche. Getting to be an elementary principal was great. So with high school students you are literally impacting and leading future leaders,” Pastrick said. 

Pastrick knew she would come back to BNI. She loved her experience as a student, the opportunities, and the value of education provided for her family. She believes this school serves a unique purpose to the area, the core mission of leading with and through Christ and being able to bring students with is a bonus. 

Through her time in this leadership position, she has become a visionary, she is always thinking about the next steps. Pastrick has established a diverse culture and community that is hers. Each year she creates a theme, this year being “lock in and level up.” There is always opportunity to grow especially when the maximum effort is given. 

“I sleep well at night because I believe I give it my all and put it out there, even on my bad days. There’s a passage in the Bible that says about being able to rest well when you give it your all. When I am coming to school, I want to present myself in a way to make an impact,” Pastrick said. 

Pastrick loves being a sports mom to her four children. Although being a mother takes up most of her time, some things she would like to learn and form into a hobby are canning foods and sewing. She is taking an online course for carpentry. 

“I love what I do. I am blessed and when you are blessed, you’re called to bless others. Even on the days I don’t perform well, I want to give back to others,” Pastrick said. 

Student spotlight:

Lila Patino is a senior at BNI. She is working at the YMCA and enjoys working with kids and fostering their growth. Her mother is a teacher at BNI which has embraced her passion and desire to continue her future with kids being a teacher or a counselor. Patino is planning on attending one of the Indiana Universities after graduation. 

This year, Patino is in Cheer, Campus Ministry, Women’s Empowerment Club, and Hispanic Student Union, Business Honor Society, and National Honor Society. Her favorite is Campus Ministry because there is an endless amount of opportunities. 

“I like to read at Masses. I am also excited to be a Kairos retreat leader next semester. I have been non stop thinking about the whole retreat,” Patino said. 

Her best accomplishment is having a grade point average of four. She wants to do more service events before the school year ends. 

“I am drawn to service events because I see the impact it has on other people. I like to see people grow with the help I have provided and want to do more. Whenever there is a service opportunity presented, take it because it gives you a great experience,” Patino said. 

Patino is looking forward to senior night for basketball because the squad gets to make senior tables. She wants to continue the strong bond with her team. Her favorite cheer memory was this year’s Homecoming Pep Rally because she got to perform for the last time, running onto the field with the senior class, and seeing everyone talk to each other having a good time. 

Her favorite class was her freshman year Theater class, because she was scared of acting in front of people but ended up having fun. She has also enjoyed any business classes because she enjoys learning about economics.

In her free time, she enjoys coloring simple coloring sheets. Patino also watches a lot of videos on psychology that focuses on children development and videos on space because she finds it interesting that space is huge.