GreatNews.Life Student Voices: Crown Point’s first days, faces, and future leaders

What’s recently happened?

On August 13, Crown Point High School (CPHS) officially kicked off the 2025–2026 academic year. Students filled the halls with excitement, nerves, and plenty of school spirit as they adjusted to being back at school. From finding classrooms to reuniting with friends, the first day set the tone for what is expected to be a busy and memorable year at CPHS.

Freshmen experienced their very first day of high school, navigating new schedules and learning the ropes of the school. Meanwhile, sophomores and juniors settled into familiar routines, balancing challenging courses with the excitement of reconnecting after summer break. Seniors walked through the doors with a sense of pride and anticipation, knowing this would be their final first day at CPHS.

Teachers used the day to welcome students, outline expectations, and prepare them for the semester ahead. After the final bell rang, the energy carried into after-school activities, practices, and club meetings, signaling the start of another full year of academics, athletics, and involvement. The first day of school not only marked the end of summer, but also the beginning of new opportunities, goals, and memories for the CPHS community.

What’s coming up?

CPHS students will have the chance to take their school pictures next week on August 26-28. These days will be spread out to accommodate all grade levels and ensure that every student has their photo included in the yearbook.

Students will report with their English classes to the designated location for pictures. Staff will also have the opportunity to get their photos taken during the scheduled times. Yearbook staff members will be assisting throughout the process, helping picture days run smoothly for students and teachers.

“I’m excited to work the picture days because the yearbook staff works on them every year,” Senior and Yearbook Editor-in-Chief Samantha Uren said. “It’s always a fun way for us to be involved and make sure everything goes well.” 

Picture days not only provide students with their ID cards but also capture lasting memories that will be featured in this year’s book.

Staff spotlight:

For DC Anatomy and AP Biology Teacher Brian Elston, the path to teaching wasn’t straightforward. It was one that perfectly combined his love for science, helping others, and sports.

“I started out in pre-med. I wanted to be a doctor. I wanted to help people,” he said.

After working in a hospital morgue, he realized that the responsibility of life and death wasn’t where his heart was.

“I didn’t want to have that kind of power over life and death. It felt like too much pressure, so that’s when I made the change,” he said.

Teaching became the ideal way to merge his skills with his desire to make a difference.

“I decided not to do that, and teaching was the perfect thing for me,” Elston said.

Although his first teaching jobs were in chemistry because that’s where teachers were needed, anatomy has always been where his passion lies.

“Anatomy is what I’m trained for, and I really enjoy it a lot,” he said.

The most rewarding part of teaching for Elston is helping the students succeed.

Outside the classroom, Elston stays active through his lifelong love of sports. He enjoys following all sports, especially basketball and hockey. His dedication to both academics and athletics highlights the balance of passion and discipline he brings to CPHS every day.

Student spotlight:

Senior Samantha Uren has dedicated much of her high school career to one of CPHS’s most memorable traditions: the yearbook. As this year’s editor-in-chief, Uren has played a key role in ensuring that the 2025 yearbook is both meaningful and representative of the student body.

“I joined yearbook because I wanted to be involved at school and learn skills I could apply towards my future,” Uren said.

Since then, she has grown into a leader on staff, crediting her rise to editor-in-chief to her ability to work well with others.

“I worked my way up to editor-in-chief by being a good team player and learning you can’t lead others if you can’t work well together,” she said.

For Uren, the most exciting part of putting the book together is the creativity that comes from teamwork.

“I love collaborating with my co-editors and seeing all our ideas come together to create something for everyone at our school,” Uren said.

While the process is filled with long deadlines and countless details, Uren finds the most rewarding aspect of her position in mentorship.

“Being able to lead and help the new staffers grow so they can have the opportunity to move up and become the future editors is very exciting,” Uren said.

As she prepares to graduate, Uren leaves behind a legacy of dedication, leadership, and teamwork that will continue to shape the yearbook staff for years to come.