GreatNews.Life Student Voices: Students at Morgan Township High School shoot for success

What’s recently happened?

With a new year and a new semester, students at Morgan Township High School (MTHS) have jumped back into their extracurricular events and schoolwork. 

Both the Girls and Boys Basketball teams have continued their season as the Porter County Conference (PCC) began in January. The Girls and Boys Basketball teams continued their tradition of playing for their respective Kup and Keg.

“PCC so far has been great. It’s one of my favorite weeks of the year because it brings everyone together and makes the atmosphere in the gym so much fun, so I love it,” said Gianna Lemmons, junior on the Girls Basketball team.

The MTHS Cheer and Dance teams will be competing in their annual PCC Spirit Competition as well this January. The competition was what the teams worked towards all year. The Dance team did two routines, and the Cheer team did two cheers. The events were scored separately, but the Cheer team relied on the crowd’s energy.

“We are so excited to put on a performance and show off our skills. The Cheer and Dance teams have been working all season to make this happen, so the best thing you can do to help is just cheer us on during PCC,” said Cheer Captain Addison Gingrich. “Join in our cheers where you can, help us get our crowd interaction points, and just show up. It’s a really fun day of non-stop performances, so come cheer on the team that always cheers for you.”

What’s coming up?

Basketball and Drama Club practices continue throughout February as students continue their second semester at MTHS.

The MTHS Drama Club began its first practices in January, which began as a table read, as actors learned their lines and the backstage crew learned their cues. However, in February, the actors will be off-script and a month away from their shows, which will be March 6-7.

“I am looking forward to our play, ‘This Murder was Staged’, because I find it really funny and I think people will enjoy it,” said Grant Massey, senior in Drama Club. “I’m also looking forward to the Drama Club awards that happen in April. They are really exciting and fun to go to and watch. I love the surprise of who is going to win what award.”

Basketball season at MTHS continues through February. The Sectionals tournaments will be held for both the Boys and the Girls. Both the MTHS Pep Band and Drumline will also continue to play at these games.

“While I am sitting behind the bench and doing more of their laundry than my own, the girls did a great job at keeping the Kup,” said Lola Forney, Girls basketball team manager. “It’s nice to see how well they all work together on and off the court.”

Staff spotlight:

Paula Swan-Jackowski is the German teacher at MTHS. This is year 13 for her at MTHS, but she also taught in Germany from 2020-2024. Currently, she teaches German I-III at MTHS and Kouts High School.

“I became a teacher because I wanted to share learning with others. I hope my students learn from me, as I am constantly learning from them,” Swan said. 

Swan’s favorite part about MTHS is its values. She enjoys watching her students succeed and celebrate their victories, and makes sure to attend graduation, basketball games, and Drama Club productions.

“I’m looking forward to taking MTHS’ German III students to Valparaiso University’s annual German theater festival. In April, German students from across the region compete with short plays they have created,” Swan said. “Mixing drama with German is loads of fun, both for the kids and for me. We will start writing our play in a couple of weeks.”

Swan is an avid animal lover and always makes sure not to take herself too seriously. She always tells her students to challenge their first assumptions.

“I have lived and worked in a lot of different places and situations. I’ve found that connection to others is the best part of the human condition,” Swan said.

Student spotlight:

Jaxson Evans is a senior at MTHS. He is very active in his community and is currently part of NHS, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Student Council, the Varsity Track and Field team, and the United States Naval Sea Cadets Course.

“Some of my greatest achievements in high school so far would be being awarded the mental attitude award during the 2024 track and field season, and being elected as the public affairs officer for my local NHS chapter,” said Evans. “Outside of school, it would be being nominated for Sea Cadet of the Year by my local unit and being selected as part of a congressional lobbying trip this summer for Sea Cadets.”

After high school, Evans plans to attend college in order to get a degree in international affairs. Afterwards, he plans on joining the U.S. Navy as an officer. Currently, his favorite classes include economics, history, government, and weightlifting.

“My most memorable moment in my senior year would be me speaking in front of the school for the annual Veterans Day assembly,” Evans said. “It was a great honor and privilege to be given the opportunity to speak on something I’m so passionate about in front of people I greatly admire and respect.”

Evans’ favorite part of MTHS and the wider Morgan Township community is the closeness and supportive nature of the community. 

“I want people to know that I’m driven by service. I measure success by whether I’ve made the people around me better,” Evans said. “I think President George H.W. Bush’s quote highlights me the best: ‘Any definition of a successful life must include service to others.’”