GreatNews.Life Student Voices: New athletic facilities highlight big changes at Griffith High School

What’s recently happened?

Winter Break doesn’t stop the Griffith High School athletes, as various spring teams are still practicing over the break. The 2025-26 Boys and Girls Basketball and Wrestling seasons are underway, with both basketball squads entering the season with new head coaches.

Cameron Ashley is the new coach of the boys team. Ashley spent the last six years on the staff at Merrillville High School and as an assistant coach at Gary West Side Leadership Academy.

“I’m honored, and excited to serve in the capacity of Varsity Boys Basketball head coach for the community of Griffith,” said Ashley. “All of our expectations are set to make the players not just better basketball players but also better people. We set them up so they have something to strive and play for.”

As for the girls team, they have Coach Kevin Ballard, who served as an assistant coach at Lake Station High School for the last 4 seasons, along with training many Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) athletes.

While athletes have been keeping busy, the rest of the students and staff have been having fun with family and friends. Griffith High School can’t wait for the return of its Griffith family.

What’s coming up?

Breaking ground in April, the new Griffith Aquatic Center will be finished and ready to serve Griffith in the back half of September. The $15 million project includes a new pool, locker rooms, and an indoor athletic facility for athletes to use.

“We want it to be a community pool and create family and atmosphere,” said Superintendent Leah Dumezich. 

With the use of the pool extending beyond the school, it will bring a certain presence to the town and attract more community members to Griffith High School.

The new and improved varsity locker rooms will serve as the home for Griffith’s varsity sports teams in the foreseeable future. This project, along with the indoor facilities, will wrap up shortly after the new pool.

The indoor facilities will have a turf practice area, weight training machines, batting cages and a sports game simulator that will help train with all Griffith sports.

“I think that the possibilities are endless,” said Principal Jon Chance. “The community will use it as well as the school and anyone who wants to. It’s here for them.”

The town of Griffith is eager for this project to be done, and everyone can’t wait to use this facility together as a community.

Staff spotlight:

Being part of the Griffith Theatre Company (GTC) for 15 years, Jenna Parker brings much knowledge and experience to the drama department.

Parker, or “J-Park” as the GTC calls her, has been part of drama since she was in seventh grade. She started acting, followed by managing and student directing.  

She took some time off for college, then made her way around the Region subbing for different schools.

“I took over for a teacher who left for medical reasons, and now I’ve taught just about everything with history and the art department,” said Parker

Along with teaching, Parker is the head director of theatre and has been for 11 years. She has many favorite parts, but she loves the fact that theatre makes her feel like a kid again.

“Theatre is one of the few places as an adult where you’re allowed to bring your imagination and creativity back. It’s a place where I can basically play around and create whatever I want, and I love that part of it,” said Parker.

Parker wants everyone to succeed, and she wants everyone to see how much work people put in.

“Theatre puts in the same amount of work as athletics. People don’t see what we do; we rehearse lines, build sets, and edit videos. It’s a lot of work.” said Parker. “Everything that these kids do is amazing, and the stories that they create pull you in. It’s great to watch and create with them.”

Student spotlight:

Asher Harris III is currently a junior at Griffith High School and does just about everything at Griffith.  

He is part of National Honor Society, PBIS, Panther Pub Hub, Yearbook, and is also the mascot for the Panthers.

Harris has been at Griffith since his freshman year, when his parents decided to move from River Forest.

“My parents wanted to find a place that was good for them as working-class people but also an area where their kids could explore and be able to be in community. They saw that Griffith was the best area for them,” said Harris.

Harris is proud of serving as the mascot of the Griffith Panthers.  

“Around September last year, I was having a conversation with Julie Larson. An idea I had for fundraising led me to ask who the mascot was,” said Harris. “We didn’t really have one, so my friend Parker and I went down to have a conversation with Mr. Chance, and I volunteered to be the mascot.”

Harris has been the mascot for two years, suiting up for games for football, basketball, and school events like the Homecoming parade. He also has been in costume for special events such as pep rallies and fun things at Griffith.

One thing that Harris will remember is how little kids look at him and are extremely excited to see and meet him.

“My favorite part is when little kids come up to me at different events, and they’ll be so excited to see me,” said Harris. “They want to get photos, and they just want to be around me. Being an inspiration to the kids and being a good role model, I just love it.”

Harris wants to be the mascot until he graduates, and he wants every kid to live their dream, just like he did.

“When you get older, make sure you do something that you enjoy. You’ll miss your chance sooner than you think, so make sure to chase your dreams and just have fun,” he said.