GreatNews.Life Student Voices: Wheeler High School brings traditions back

What’s recently happened?

Senior Sunrise was held on August 21 at Wheeler High School’s (WHS) football field. Held by the Class Council, this event invited the senior class of WHS to watch the sunrise together. 

“As class president, I wanted to pick a day that worked for most people, as some sports have morning practice. It was such a fun morning,” Senior Sadie Bolan said.

Senior Sunrise symbolizes the start of the end of the senior’s high school career. At the end of the year, Senior Sunset will conclude the symbolism as the final end to high school. In the same way the senior class gathered on the football field to watch the sunrise together, they will watch the sunset together. 

“Senior Sunrise was an early morning, but it was so worth it. I loved being a part of this tradition,” Senior Clara Davis said.

With all of their friends there and a beautiful sky, the Senior Sunrise provided an ideal space for many students to have a photo shoot. The Class Council made cute frames to hold up in pictures to add to the experience.

“The frames were the perfect touch. I took so many photos with them,” Senior Luke Richardson said. 

Senior Sunrise is a long lasting tradition that will be carried on for many years to come. 

What’s coming up?

On August 30, a returning tradition will be back at WHS allowing seniors to paint their own parking spots.

“I was so sad when I would see other seniors painting their spots, and now that we can paint them I am so excited,” Senior Madisyn Rouch said. 

With lots of convincing, the Class Council was able to get approval from the new principal, Ryan Kruszka, to paint senior spots. This tradition was discontinued a few years ago, as the desire to keep the tradition alive faded. 

“Even though the parking lot just got resealed, I still knew that we would be able to start this up again,” Senior Titus Parrish said. 

Many seniors are already planning exactly what they want to paint their spot as. This includes graduation jokes, cute designs, and more. 

“My twin and I are going to do a sort of yin and yang, but instead of black and white make it our favorite things,” Senior Jude Richardson said. 

Many seniors are so excited to begin this tradition again and watch it grow as the years go on. 

Staff spotlight:

Aaron Gibson is an English teacher at WHS. He previously taught at Union Township Middle School, but transferred to the high school last year. Before WHS, he taught at Hobart High School, Merrillville High School, and East Chicago Central High School. 

At WHS, Gibson teaches many different English classes, but his favorite to teach is English Honors 9. He believes that the minds of freshman students are a blank canvas, and he can guide them in the right direction. 

“English Honors 9 is my favorite, because I can really set off their academic career if I do a good job,” Gibson said. 

Gibson loves teaching because he is able to be the adult in kids’ lives that they may not have otherwise. He loves to give advice to seniors and other students who are willing to listen.

“Students shouldn’t dig their feet into their beliefs. They should develop their ideas as they grow, so that if they realize they don’t believe in them anymore, they don’t feel stuck,” Gibson said.

Gibson believes that people should seek failure. He used to be a personal trainer, and would push his clients until failure. He believes this translates into real life.

“If you never try to reach a point of failure, you aren’t stretching far enough. You have to push the limits and discover new parts of yourself,” Gibson said.

Gibson is married to the new vice principal, Amanda Gibson. They have three small children named Wren, Willow and Weston. 

Student spotlight:

Evelyn Kohne is a freshman at WHS and already dominating in and out of the classroom. Kohne is starting off strong in all of her classes this year. 

She is a runner for the Cross Country team, and is already the number one runner on the girls team. She has absolutely crushed the competition, earning fifth place in the Bearcat Invite. 

“I didn’t know what to expect because it was my first high school race, but it wasn’t much different from middle school,” Kohne said. 

Kohne went to middle school cross country State all three years, and her skill is easily transferring to the longer races. Her dedication and confidence are proving to work in her favor. 

With another race under her belt, Kohne is already in the 20 minute range. This is insanely fast, and her times are projected to keep dropping. 

“I really think the weather being nicer at the Hebron High School Meet made it easier. I can’t wait to keep pushing the limits,” Kohne said. 

She is the only girl freshman on the team. This has proved to be no problem for Kohne, as she began to fit in so quickly. The team immediately took her in.

“It feels as if she has always been a part of the team. We are so glad to have her,” Sophomore Lane Goodrich said.

Kohne is loved by both her teammates and coaches, and brings such a positive influence to everyone around her.