GreatNews.Life Student Voices: Portage High School gives a helping hand

What’s recently happened?

Cotton-ball snowmen and finger-painted Christmas trees recently covered the Portage High School (PHS) art room during a festive night of crafty fun for students of all ages. On December 12, the PHS Art Club threw a fundraiser crafting night where students ages kindergarten to eighth grade could make holiday-themed projects with the help of the club members.

Children were grouped by age and assigned one to two high schoolers to guide them through each of the five crafting stations. Each station focused on different aspects of the holiday season. Reindeer, wreaths, trees, snowmen, and snowflakes were the focus of the night.

Nerves of being around a younger generation quickly wore off for the high schoolers, who adapted quickly to the high spirits of the children that attended. With the price of admission, the fundraiser earned roughly $100 for the Art Club, but no true price can be put on the smiles in the room that day.

What’s coming up?

An honored biannual tradition, the Natural Helpers retreat takes some of PHS’s most exemplary juniors and seniors on a two-day wellness retreat. Students are taught life skills such as communication, teamwork, and empathy. The first retreat of the year happened in late November, while the second is coming up in February.

Each year, a form goes out to juniors and seniors asking about the people in their life who have uplifted them. Students who are brought up multiple times are nominated and allowed to go on the retreat. Students who went on a retreat their junior year are also allowed to become Senior Staff, who are older members helping guide the younger ones on their journey. Senior Lucas Trevino is one of the most dedicated members of the staff and thinks of the program fondly.

“It made me feel like I didn’t have to hide things, I can open up without overthinking,” Trevino said.

Each retreat brings great memories for those who attend. Pre-existing bonds are strengthened, new ones are formed, and old arguments are squashed within the two days. In February, a whole new group of juniors and seniors will experience the retreat. Mathew Supergan, one of the sponsors of the retreat, is incredibly happy with the change the program facilitates. 

“The transformation we see in our students is powerful, and the ripple effect within the school community is something we’re extremely proud of,” Supergan said.

Staff spotlight:

Dr. Christine Carney has gone above and beyond in every avenue she has pursued. She has numerous degrees, focusing on religion, education, management, and leadership. As a child, she imagined two potential career paths: teaching and ministry. While most people would be capable in one area or the other, Carney managed to spend years excelling in both.

“Professionally, my first decade was spent in Christian ministry, followed by 14 years at the intersection of workforce development and education,” she said.

Carney’s life has been filled with service to others, whether through the ministry or in her more recent teaching endeavors. As she goes through day-to-day life, she has one goal: to spread positivity.

“My hope is to fill my life, and the lives of those around me, with love, joy, and connection,” Carney said.

When it comes to her students, Carney is just as inspired by them as they are by her. Her favorite part of coming to the school each day is seeing all of her students. 

“Portage students are hardworking, committed, creative problem-solvers with a passion to make the world better. I am truly blessed to work with such amazing, caring young people,” she said.

Outside of her responsibilities at school, Carney spends time volunteering for the Valparaiso YMCA and Immanuel Lutheran School. When she’s not busy with one of her many duties, she spends time with her seven children.

“In my free time, you’ll usually find me visiting my three oldest at the University of Michigan, the University of Wisconsin, and Indiana University Indianapolis—along with their four younger siblings right by my side,” she said.

One quote Carney lives by is from the ancient Chinese book Tao Te Ching. It sits at the end of every email she sends. 

“Simplicity, patience, compassion…these three are your greatest treasures. Simple in actions and thoughts, you return to the source of being. Patient with both friends and enemies, you accord with the way things are. Compassionate toward yourself, you reconcile all beings in the world,” she noted.

This quote can symbolize different things to different people, but Carney has a distinct meaning she attaches to it.

“To me, it’s a reminder to keep things simple so you can stay grounded, lean on patience to carry you through the hardest seasons, and practice compassion toward yourself—giving yourself the grace to get back up and try again,” She said.

Student spotlight:

Senior Sevetta Delgado is booked and busy in her final year of high school. She maintains several leadership roles as president of the school’s Business Professionals of America (BPA), class treasurer, Art Club treasurer, and a dedicated member of the student council. On top of her clubs, she has been working outside of school since freshman year.

The club she is most dedicated to, BPA, almost missed out on having Delgado as a member. She heard about it by chance in her health class sophomore year. They mentioned a podcast competition hosted by BPA, which shocked Delgado originally. Delgado went to her first meeting interested in the podcast competition, but another one caught her eye instead.

“I became interested in doing banking and personal finance instead because I wanted to become more financially literate,” Delgado said.

BPA helped Delgado flourish and truly come into her own as an individual. 

“It made me end up wanting to potentially do something business related and made me grow my entrepreneurial mindset,” she said.

Outside of business, Delgado is passionate about the arts. She has been involved in art classes since freshman year. For her final year, she took on AP 2-D Art and Design. In this class, students spend the year making an entire portfolio. Delgado thrives in the artistic environment.

“I enjoy art classes because there’s a lot of creative freedom and it’s a good outlet,” Delgado said.

After high school, Delgado is planning to go to Indiana University Bloomington for public affairs with a focus on environmental management. On top of her education, she wants to get a certificate in real estate. One of Delgado’s biggest goals for her future is to bring affordability and sustainability to housing and commercial spaces. For any of her fellow students, Delgado has advice on extracurricular involvement. 

“Commit to a few meaningful extracurriculars, but don’t stretch yourself too thin. Make sure you have around three of them that you really enjoy and can put your all into,” Delgado said.