GreatNews.Life Student Voices: Munster moves forward with Mustang pride

What’s Recently Happened?

For Munster High School (MHS), the recently started school year came with a bit more excitement than expected. On August 11, the community experienced an EF-1 tornado with derecho winds reaching over 100 mph. The storm left Munster and surrounding communities disrupted: power outages, trees down, and lots of clean-up to be done.

What followed the storm was not despair, but an overwhelming sense of community. Munster residents came together to help neighborhoods in need, organizing clean-up crews, volunteering their time, and most of all, being there for one another. Local businesses also stepped up, providing meals, charging stations, and safe spaces to those in need. School staff, clubs, and even student-athletes found ways to lend a hand.

While the community worked together diligently outside, there was plenty to be mentioned behind the scenes. School administration worked hard to determine the safest and most practical time for students to return to the classroom. With the building needing repair, streets needing to be cleared, and students left without electricity, the first day of school was moved from August 12 to August 24.

Undeniably, the storm left a mess, but it also revealed something meaningful: the strength of the Munster community. When faced with an unexpected roadblock, the community came together to rebuild, showing that even in rough times, Munster has plenty of reasons to look forward.

What’s Coming Up?

With the 2026-2027 academic year officially underway, the town is shifting from recovery efforts to everything that makes the fall season exciting. With MHS offering football, flag football, golf, soccer, tennis, and cross country as fall sports, there is a lot for the community to look forward to.

Fall isn’t just about the competition; it’s about having Mustang Pride. Packed student sections, Friday night lights, spirit weeks, teammates cheering each other on – the community becomes more united than ever. Every Friday football game, the MHS student section takes on a new theme for an opportunity to dress up, show up, and bring the energy.

The spirit will reach its peak during Homecoming week as they wait for the long-awaited dance. The dance will take place on Friday, September 18, in the Munster High School fieldhouse.

This year’s theme will be Mamma Mia!, created by the MHS Student Government to bring some ABBA-inspired fun to the community. With a theme inspired by the iconic musical, students can expect a night of dancing, music, and Mustang spirit.

With Homecoming approaching, the students and staff members are getting ready, enough to scream “Mamma Mia!”

Staff Spotlight:

For the first time in 13 years, Robert Snyder will be seeing MHS from a new perspective.

After over a decade of hard work as an MHS assistant principal, Snyder has taken on the role of principal for the 2026-27 school year. However, his career in the schools began in the classroom.

Following his graduation from Valparaiso University, Snyder taught as an English teacher for six years at Highland High School, River Forest High School, and St. Francis de Sales School in Chicago. Snyder then went on to earn his master’s degree in Educational Administration and Educational Leadership from Purdue Northwest.

For Snyder, the shift from teaching to administration was about having an opportunity to impact as much of the community as he could.

“Teaching impacts about 30 kids an hour,” Snyder said. “When you’re an administrator, the decisions you make can influence 1,500 kids and their families.”

Now, Snyder is excited to experience MHS through a different lens – especially after witnessing the community’s endless strength firsthand after the storm.

“When I interviewed for this position, they asked me a lot of questions, but at the time, my chainsaw skills were not one of them,” Snyder joked.

During the storm recovery, Snyder helped lead the charge of MHS staff supporting the community. He and many other administration members worked with power tools to break up debris, making it easier for town management to dispose of.

Outside of the office, Snyder classifies himself as a huge sports fan and a little bit nerdy. Something students may be surprised to learn about him is that he is a twin – one minute younger. During his high school years, Snyder played basketball and Boys’ Volleyball.

If Snyder could give only one piece of advice to his high school students, it is encouraging people to make the most of their time at Munster.

“Especially for you seniors, for the next nine months, slow it down and enjoy all of it,” Snyder said. “This is a special place, with special kids. It’s a special community.”

Student Spotlight:

With 3.5 seconds left on the clock at the Lake Central versus Munster football game, Owen Burns had one job: make the kick.

And he delivered.

The senior at MHS had a 32-yard field goal that gave the Mustangs a dramatic 37-35 victory over Lake Central, ending Munster’s 11-year losing streak against the Indians. For Burns, the moment was about more than just putting points on the board. It was about trusting the work he and his teammates had put in.

“After I saw Elizandro go downfield and make a crazy catch, I knew this game was all in my hands,” Burns said. “I knew I couldn’t disappoint my teammates and friends. We practiced for this exact moment, so I went up there confident and with no worries.”

As a senior, Burns has tremendously stepped up his leadership role on the Varsity Football team. He serves as the special teams captain, helping set the tone from the opening kickoff to regular weekday practices. Most importantly, Burns puts stress on his responsibility to care for his teammates.

“I bring a lot of energy and relief to the people who need to vent to someone,” Burns said. “I’m always there to listen and help them understand where coaches are coming from.”

To Burns, being a captain is more than simply a title.

“The leadership role means a lot to me, and I’m honored to be the special teams captain,” he said. “I have the privilege to start off every game and step up when needed.”

As Burns looks forward to the rest of his senior season, his game-winning kick serves as a reminder of hard work, leadership, and preparation. With the historic win over Lake Central in their back pocket, the Mustangs will carry on this momentum through the rest of this season as they continue to make their mark.