GreatNews.Life Student Voices: Hammond Central brings the pack together in the Wolf Den

What’s recently happened?

Hammond Central High School (HCHS) has had a meaningful and eventful November filled with moments of achievement and creativity.

On November 3, several HCHS students had the opportunity to attend the 14th annual Indiana Latino Institute College and Career Fair. Thanks to a chartered bus donated by the Hammond Hispanic Community Committee, the group traveled to South Bend to meet with colleges and universities across the state,along with hearing an inspirational speech from nationally recognized motivational speaker Ovi Vásquez. The speech was about staying motivated, taking ownership of your goals, and becoming a leader in your own life.

“This campus highlighted a rich cultural tradition and a strong sense of community,” said Junior Angeli Ruiz. “We learned about different academic programs while seeing how their diversity is supported and celebrated.”

On November 20, the HCHS JROTC program hosted a brief but powerful Veterans Day Ceremony during first period to honor the service and sacrifice of the nation’s veterans.

After the ceremony, the Color Guard presented the Posting of the Colors, followed by a performance of “Taps” to remember those who have fallen.

The program also included a symbolic Missing Man’s Table which remained on display throughout the school day to honor service members who never returned home.

Hammond Arts & Performance Academy also featured its heavily anticipated play, “Puffs (One Act for Young Wizards),” on November 21-22 at 7 p.m. and November 23 at 2 p.m. in the HCHS Black Box Theater. The production, written by Matt Cox, follows a group of underdog students as they navigate seven years at a certain school of magic.

Many of the play crew members had great experiences with the group’s overall dynamic. One of the actors, Linda Urbano, loved the entire experience of “Puffs.”

“‘Puffs’ was a wonderful experience as a first-time actor. The energy was great backstage, and everyone always did their best and was positive throughout the whole show,” said Urbano.

What’s coming up?

HCHS is getting ready to join the citywide celebration at this year’s Hammond Holiday Parade on December 6. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. at Donald E. Gavit High School, travel down Indianapolis Boulevard, and end at the Hammond Sportsplex.

Several HCHS groups will be featured in the parade, including National Honor Society (NHS), Rock Band, JROTC, and Concert Band. Students are preparing to showcase their school spirit as the community comes together to celebrate the season.

“I can’t wait to represent my school and NHS at the holiday parade,” said Junior Dwayne Coleman. “My family and I watch the parade almost every year, and the opportunity to be in it is exciting.”

HCHS is also partnering with UnitedHealthcare Community Plan to host a mental health and wellness fair on December 6 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at HCHS. The event, titled “Healthy Minds; Stronger Communities: A Winter Community Wellness Event,” will offer activities, workshops, and local community resources focused on supporting mental health and overall well-being.

Students, families, and staff will have access to information tables, crafts, giveaways, and refreshments. The event aims to connect the school community with tools and strategies that promote emotional health during a time of year when many people experience added stress.

As the end of the first semester approaches on December 19, many students are beginning to feel the pressure of finals, assignments, and outside responsibilities.

One of the students feeling the weight of the semester’s end is Junior Joshua Johnson, who is balancing two AP classes and multiple essays for his computer engineering course.

“I’m already feeling the pressure that other students are talking about with the essays I have to do for my AP class and my Computer Engineering class,” Johnson said. “It’s definitely making me stressed, and I just hope I’ll be able to finish everything on time, and the same for everyone else.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends managing stress by getting enough sleep, journaling, talking to a trusted friend or adult, and taking breaks from social media.

The University of Georgia’s Health Promotion and Wellness program also notes that breaking large tasks into smaller goals can reduce stress and improve productivity. Their guidance explains that effective time-management strategies help students stay organized, maintain focus, and avoid feeling overwhelmed.

“Keep your head in the right spot, manage what you can control, and don’t stress what’s inevitable,” Senior Joel Barrera said.

Staff spotlight:

Miranda Morley, Dual Credit English 11 and 12 teacher at HCHS, brings a deep love of reading and writing into everything she teaches. Her goal is to help students build confidence in their abilities and discover the joy of expressing their own ideas.

“I have always loved reading and writing,” Morley said. “It is exciting to share that love with students, especially when I help someone realize that writing is not as challenging as it may seem at first.”

Although this is her first year teaching dual credit at the high school level, Morley is no stranger to advanced coursework. She spent nearly 10 years teaching similar classes at the college level, an experience that shaped how she breaks down complex concepts and encourages students to think critically. She enjoys seeing her students approach literature from different angles and appreciates the discussions that come from their varied viewpoints.

“The students are definitely my favorite part,” she said. “It is fun to see all the different perspectives.”

To help students grow as writers, Morley prioritizes consistency and exposure to a wide range of texts. She encourages students to write frequently, test different styles, and take risks when forming their arguments.

“The best way to become a better writer and reader is simply by writing and reading often,” she said.

A message she reinforces throughout the year is the importance of being original.

“Do not be afraid of writing about your own ideas,” she said. “The best writers are those with authentic ideas of their own.”

One of her favorite lessons this year was the unit on the novel “Sold” by Patricia McCormick, which led to important conversations about human trafficking. She values a curriculum that helps students to think about the world around them while also strengthening their writing skills.

Morley stays busy outside the classroom as well. She is a certified professional resume writer and a mother of three, balancing professional work with family life. She hopes her students walk away from her class with greater confidence in their voices and the understanding that growth comes from expressing their own ideas.

Student spotlight:

Sophomore Isidro Martinez has been carving out a meaningful path at HCHS through two very different programs: JROTC and Rock Band. Originally an unexpected class, JROTC has become an integral part of his high school experience.

“I’ll be honest, I was placed into JROTC, but over time it really grew on me,” Martinez said. “It’s become a class where I can express myself while still staying focused and responsible.”

JROTC has pushed him in ways he never expected. One of his most memorable and challenging experiences came during Wolf Pack Night when he had to stand at attention for nearly two hours. The moment tested both his patience and his mental strength, but completing it helped him realize how much discipline he had developed.

Aside from physical challenges, the program has also given him opportunities to connect with others.

“My favorite moment was presenting about my heritage during the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration,” he said. “I got to teach people about where I come from and share food with my class.”

Another important part of Martinez’s life is his love for music.

“Music really impacts me. It’s something I can connect with on a personal level,” he said.

He is currently learning bass guitar and plans to join Rock Band next semester. Martinez also hopes to learn keyboard soon and draws inspiration from indie and alternative artists, especially the British indie rock band Panchiko, whose emotional lyrics resonate with him. He looks forward to performing alongside friends and continuing to explore his musical identity.

In his free time, he enjoys working out, gaming, and building projects involving Gundam, LEGO, and Arduino. He said both JROTC and music have helped him strengthen discipline, teamwork, and creativity, three skills that he hopes will continue to shape him throughout high school.