GreatNews.Life Student Voices: Hammond kicks off summer

What’s recently happened?

Everyone knows summer is here with the recent heat wave across the Region. Although everyone has enjoyed lying out in the sun, the heat can take a toll on your body. Weather outlets continuously inform the public to stay hydrated and wear sun protection to enjoy the summer. 

Hammond had its annual Juneteenth celebration on June 19. This commemorates the end of slavery and marks a day for the community to celebrate. There was a celebration at Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Park in Hammond where surrounding towns came to enjoy food, music, and giveaways.

This was also the start of the new Juneteenth tradition of having a car and bike show. Community members registered their vehicle of choice and got judged on ‘show stopper,’ ‘best of show,’ ‘best original classic,’ and ‘best detail.’ The top three in each category got a prize.

On June 21, Hammond welcomed the Swift Nation Tribute Band to Wolf Lake Memorial Park. Taylor Swift fans got to embark on an exciting musical performance that highlights Swift’s career. Swift Nation, the premier live band sing-along tribute, had a memorable time at the pavilion. 

“It was so fun to sing-along with the band and experience it with other Taylor Swift fans,” Hammond Resident Sommer Edwards said.

What’s coming up?

Festival of the Lakes (FOTL) is right around the corner at the Pavillion at Wolf Lake. Artists John Fogerty, Brantley Gilbert, Akon, Third Eye Blind, and La Arrolladora Banda El Limón de René Camacho are headlining the event. Admission is free for all unless purchasing specialty tickets. 

The festival also includes carnival rides, free boat rides and train station shuttle, and the Region’s favorite foods. The festival opens at 5 p.m. on weekdays and at noon on the weekends. On Friday and Saturday, there is a fireworks show.

“I am excited to hangout with my friends and go on the rides at the festival,” FOTL Attendee Madeline Pedroza said.

Hammond residents have had mixed feelings about the number of orange cones they see in the streets. For one, leaving early for work to try to avoid the extra traffic from going down to one lane on main streets such as Columbia Avenue and Indianapolis Boulevard might be troublesome, but the fact that car tires will have a smooth route to go on in a few months is a nice thing to look forward to. Construction is always going on in the Midwest, especially in the summertime, but it has been a dream for many to see a street with fewer potholes.

Community member spotlight:

Jasmin Fonseca has made a difference in kids’ summer this past month. Fonseca is going into her second year of being a counselor at Bishop Noll Institute (BNI). She loves BNI because of the culture within the school, the teachers and students make BNI a family. She decided to take on the role of one of the Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) Camp Supervisors this summer.

“This is my first time ever doing something like the STEM Camp, but it has been such a great opportunity for growth and connection,” Fonseca said.

Fonseca has always wanted to work with the youth by supporting children and adolescents in making better choices, finding their voice, and connecting with their communities. The STEM Camp has been a free and fun summer activity for students in kindergarten through eighth grade living in East Chicago.

The idea of giving back to the community alongside the amazing BNI student camp counselors has been exciting for Fonseca. Going into this as a rookie, she wasn’t sure what to expect. She is thankful for the help of other BNI teachers, Mary Albrecht and Hadeel Haddad, who have guided her through the process, which has been an inspiring journey for Fonseca.

Being the STEM Camp Supervisor has been rewarding. She has made it a goal to create a space for students to be encouraged to explore, be curious, and believe in their abilities.

“STEM Camp is more than just the academics; it’s about impact, leadership, and community,” Fonseca said.

Fonseca is grateful for the senior directors and camp counselors. The STEM Camp was truly student-run, and their leadership was outstanding. She was proud to watch them take charge, support younger students, and lead with heart.

As a first-generation student, Fonseca didn’t always have someone to guide her through important decisions or help her feel confident in her path. She wanted to be that person for others, to give back and support students in the ways she wished someone had been there for her.

“That is what drives me: helping and inspiring others,” Fonseca said.

As a counselor, she has been preparing for the upcoming school year by working with schedules and getting to know the incoming freshmen and their families. Fonseca had the opportunity to attend the American School Counselor Association in Long Beach, California, this month in preparation for the upcoming school year.

In Fonseca’s free time, she has been creating quality time with her family, wanting to fill the summer with fun memories. She enjoys watching the Chicago Cubs play, going to concerts, and attending festivals.