GreatNews.Life Student Voices: Morton High School leaders chart new waters with STEM creativity, school pride, and giving back

What recently happened?

Students across Hammond came together to make a difference for local pets through Build with the Beast, a community event hosted by Team Hammond 71 Robotics. The project began with a clothes drive where donations were collected from Hammond Central High School, Morton High School, the Area Career Center (ACC), and the Hammond Academy of Science and Technology (HAST). Students donated old T-shirts and jeans, which were later transformed into braided dog toys for local shelters.

“The event was fun and a very lively occasion,” said Senior Analia Huerta. “It was interesting and delightful to see everyone working together. There was a lot of team bonding as some of us worked in duos or a big group. I’m glad we were able to make things for dogs who may not get much.”

To bring the effort to life, Team Hammond 71 invited students from across Northwest Indiana to gather for a hands-on event. Together, participants from Hammond schools and beyond repurposed materials into toys that will bring joy to animals in need.

“It’s really amazing to be a part of this wonderful team and to have the opportunity to help others and animals in need even with just creating something simple like dog toys,” said Senior Brandon Hernandez.

By the end of the night, students had crafted over 280 dog toys, proving that small acts of service add up to big impacts.

“The event was extremely fun and went over very well,” said Hammond Central Senior Joseph Hellems. “There were students from Hammond Central, Morton, the ACC, HAST, and even schools outside of Hammond helping us make hundreds of toys for shelters. Even with so many different faces, it still felt like a family.”

Build with the Beast highlighted not only the importance of supporting local shelters but also the power of collaboration among schools. For the students, it was more than a service project; it was a chance to strengthen community bonds, give back, and spread kindness one braided toy at a time.

What’s coming up?

Excitement is bubbling at Morton as students prepare for Homecoming on Saturday, September 20. This year’s theme, “Under the Sea,” promises a night filled with ocean-inspired décor, music, and memories. The theme ensures that Morton’s Homecoming will be one to remember, where school spirit and community pride shine just as brightly as the dance floor.

In the days leading up to the dance, Morton students showed their school spirit through themed dress-up days and Pep Rally celebrations. The highlight of the week is the much-anticipated announcement of the Homecoming Court, which brings together nominees representing school pride and student leadership.

“Ever since my first homecoming I’ve always loved the idea of having the chance to be out with my friends all night, which is why this year I decided to run for homecoming queen,” said Homecoming Queen Nominee Alana Smith. “The nomination does mean a lot to me, even if it may seem so insignificant, because I get to have the chance to know how many people truly support me in my community.”

Students attending are ready to dance in a transformed space filled with glowing waves, shimmering blues, and aquatic-inspired decorations.

“I think Homecoming will be so much fun. It’s a chance to dress up, dance with friends, and make unforgettable memories,” said Senior Diamond Boler. “The energy, music, and excitement all come together for one amazing night.”

Beyond the decorations and music, Homecoming continues to play an important role in Morton tradition. It offers students a chance to celebrate achievements, bond with classmates, and create memories that will last long after the night ends.

Staff spotlight:

Morton Instructional Coach Alexander Cerajewski has dedicated his career to helping students grow as leaders through creativity, collaboration, and hands-on learning. Since joining the School City of Hammond in 2017, Cerajewski has played an active role in shaping both curriculum and student culture.

“When I first started teaching, I was a high school history teacher. I really liked the challenge of laying out the curriculum,” Cerajewski said. “When the instructional coach position opened up, it appealed to me because of the intellectual challenge and the leadership opportunity.”

In addition to his coaching role, Cerajewski manages the school’s Maker Space. This is where students learn to operate equipment independently, experiment with project-based learning, and collaborate on creative projects. He believes giving students structured freedom helps them build confidence over time.

“You have to scaffold and hold their hands a lot in the beginning, but the long game is preparing students to work independently,” Cerajewski said. “Once they’re comfortable making guesses and not afraid of making mistakes, that’s when real growth happens.”

For Cerajewski, every small achievement matters. From renaming a computer file to solving algebraic equations for real-world projects, each success gives students confidence to take on more. That culture of progress will be showcased at Morton’s upcoming district-wide Maker Faire on December 4.

“The Maker Faire is going to celebrate the students, the teachers, and the staff who create,” Cerajewski said. “I want everyone to see the incredible skills we have at Morton.”

Outside of teaching, Cerajewski finds inspiration in a lesson he learned in third grade from a friend named James.

“He told me, ‘You can be goofy as long as you’re right,’” Cerajewski said. “That stuck with me. You don’t have to sell your soul. You can stay true to yourself, be a little weird, and still get the job done.”

His advice to students is to never give up, embrace who you are, and don’t be afraid to lead in your own way.

Student spotlight:

Morton Junior Josue Pedraza has found his passion in robotics and is already making an impact in his school and community. As a member of Team Hammond, Pedraza not only builds and programs robots but also mentors fellow students in coding and electrical engineering.

“I spend most of my time either studying or doing my main hobby, which is robotics,” Pedraza said. “I do it at home with personal projects, but I also do it in Team Hammond, where I teach students about programming, coding, and electrical engineering.”

Since joining Morton, Pedraza has worked to expand STEM opportunities for students by recruiting new members, creating learning curriculums, and developing ways to make robotics engaging and accessible.

“Becoming a leader is not always a black and white thing,” Pedraza said. “Sometimes it takes time, and by the time you realize it, you’re already leading. I stepped up because no one else would, but also because I want my community and students to succeed, sometimes even more than they want for themselves.”

Pedraza’s innovation extends beyond competition to robots. Through his personal company, Norva, he is designing a brainwave-reading device called an EEG that could one day help people with paralysis control prosthetic limbs. He is also assisting with the launch of Morton’s first middle school robotics team and developing Robotics Muse, a website dedicated to STEM learning.

Pedraza sees robotics as his lifelong calling. After high school, he plans to study computer engineering at Purdue University in Indianapolis while continuing his work in robotics and medical technology.

“Being a leader means to speak for those who can’t speak for themselves, to guide those who don’t know where to go, and to give people a hope that they don’t have,” Pedraza said. “If you want something done, you have to do it yourself. You are your own best advocate. No one else can speak for you.”