GreatNews.Life Student Voices: Crown Point Students and Staff Shine in Fall Highlights

What’s recently happened?

This year’s Crown Point High School (CPHS) fall musical, The Wizard of Oz, brought classic characters, vibrant storytelling, and Broadway-level ambitions to the school stage. Led by a talented cast and creative crew, the production became a standout moment of the season, especially for Senior Rana Stevens, who stepped into the iconic role of Elphaba.

“I felt really blessed to get the opportunity to play Elphaba. The Wicked Witch of the West has always been an extremely iconic character, especially with the influence The Wizard of Oz has had on Hollywood and acting. I felt honored to be picked for such a role,” Stevens said.

The cast and crew worked tirelessly to bring the magical world of Oz to life, but one element made this production unlike any before. The integration of a full-flight system elevated key scenes and brought a new level of excitement to the stage.

“Every part of this musical was special. However, my favorite part about this year’s musical was being able to incorporate the flight system into so many scenes. It was nerve-wracking at first, but once all of the scenes were put together, it was absolutely magical,” Stevens said.

From soaring witches to showstopping scenes, The Wizard of Oz left the audience in awe and set a new bar for CPHS theatre. It created a memorable experience that carried the community somewhere over the rainbow.

What’s coming up?

CPHS Key Club is gearing up for its annual Christmas Party, set to take place on Wednesday, December 10. Each year, the event brings together elementary students from inside and outside the district for an afternoon of holiday cheer, festive activities, and community connections.

For group leader Aubria Harris (11), the celebration is one of the most meaningful traditions Key Club hosts.

“My favorite part of the holiday parties is seeing all of the elementary schoolers in our district and outside of our district come together to celebrate Halloween or Christmas and play games,” Harris said.

The Christmas Party offers crafts, games, and plenty of seasonal excitement, giving Key Club members a chance to lead, mentor, and spread kindness throughout the community. With the club already planning decorations and activities, this year’s event promises to be another warm and memorable holiday experience for everyone involved.

The countdown to the celebration begins now as Key Club prepares to make this year’s Christmas Party the festive highlight of the season.

Staff Spotlight:

CPHS computer science teacher Brett Jennings brings passion, energy, and heart into the classroom every day. For Jennings, his work goes far beyond teaching programming. His focus is on the people.

Jennings appreciates the variety that CPHS offers both students and staff, but it is the students who motivate him the most.

“It is their first class, and they are the best at what they do. I feel like that inspires me to want to bring my best every single day,” Jennings said.

Whether he is teaching coding fundamentals or guiding students through complex challenges, Jennings finds joy in building connections and creating an environment where students feel supported.

“My favorite part is the faculty and students. The fact is, the people here are phenomenal,” Jennings said.

Jennings strives to understand his students not only as learners but also as individuals with unique personalities and experiences. He works to build real relationships that help make his classroom welcoming and positive.

“I try to get to know students as kids first, rather than just students. I try to interact with them and learn about them, and hopefully create an environment that is positive,” Jennings said.

He hopes that what students will take from his class extends far beyond technical knowledge.

Jennings’ dedication to his students makes his classroom more than a space for learning code. It is a place where students can grow, connect, and feel supported. His commitment to bringing his best each day continues to shape the CPHS computer science community in meaningful ways.

Student Spotlight:

Junior Autumn Scheffer had the opportunity to participate in the Northwest Indiana Region Orchestra this year. The event marked an important milestone in her musical journey.

“It was my first time, since it was the first time that Northwest Indiana did one,” Scheffer said. “It was really fun because I got to experience an orchestra with dedicated players, which is a little different than my orchestra here.”

During the event, Scheffer was able to grow as a musician while connecting with others who share her passion.

“I learned a lot of new techniques and made a few new friends,” she said.

Scheffer plays the cello, an instrument she has loved since elementary school.

“I just like the sound of it, and I think it is the best instrument,” Scheffer said. “I started in fifth grade.”

Her decision to continue playing started as a moment of friendship and quickly became something deeply personal.

“I learned that my friend was playing in fifth grade, and then it turned out she was not playing it,” she said. “I just decided to keep going with it for both of us.”

For Scheffer, the best part of being in an orchestra is simple. She loves the experience of making and sharing music.

“I just like all forms of music in general,” she said.

Through new opportunities and a genuine love for her instrument, Scheffer continues to grow as a musician while finding community in every ensemble she joins.