GreatNews.Life Student Voices: Winter Break in Merrillville: Time to rest, reflect, and reset

What’s recently happened?

The Merrillville High School (MHS) Orchestra went on its annual Chicago Nutcracker trip to watch the Joffrey Ballet dance to music played by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. This is a great opportunity for orchestra students to see an industry leading performance and the endurance it takes to be a part of a symphony orchestra.

“Seeing them play for a professional ballet motivates me to practice more and push myself to get to the next level so that one day, I will be in the pit playing as a professional,” said A’cheiana Scott, advanced orchestra student.

This field trip is the perfect start to the holiday season, and a great way to start having some fun before the two-week break from school.

The trip to Chicago also gives the students time to explore and dive into the city’s culture before heading to the Lyric Opera House to watch the performance. This is a core part of the trip and one that the students greatly look forward to.

“My favorite part of the Nutcracker trip is walking around downtown, getting to see all of the different stores, and going out to eat,” Scott said.

Having the experience of listening to a live orchestra play for the full length of a ballet is very inspirational and motivates them during their own concerts. The preparation that goes into the orchestra concerts at MHS is nothing less than impressive. The precision that comes out of their hard work shows how much they push themselves to be as successful as possible.

“The most exciting part is the week leading up to concert day. The adrenaline rush you have to perform your best. Then, when it’s concert night, you get to show off your hard work, and everyone is cheering loudly. You feel like your hard work paid off,” Scott said.

What’s coming up?

The holidays are here, and that means it is time for winter break at Merrillville High School (MHS). The two week long break is the perfect time for students to lay back and relax after the first several months of school while getting ready to endure the second half of the school year. Some students take this time to catch up or get ahead on school work, which is also beneficial to their education.

“If I have work that needs to be done over winter break, or things I could get a head start on, I usually start with those first. Fixing my sleep schedule is the next thing,” Senior Montunrayo Abiona said.

Getting ample rest during this time is extremely important for students to be able to rejuvenate their academic performance when they return. 

“I try to sleep in as much as my body will let me, but I don’t stay in bed all day. I like to revisit hobbies that I don’t have time for during school, like reading and baking,” Abiona said. 

Winter break is a great time for students to find joy in the things they may not get to spend time doing while school is in session.

Along with resting and taking time to unwind, there is so much more to winter break. The holidays during this time of year are the perfect time to get together with family and friends. It’s a time to reflect on the year and look forward to the year ahead.

“My favorite part about winter break is New Year’s. I like seeing and hearing about what everyone’s resolutions and goals are, as well as figuring out my own,” Abiona said.

Staff Spotlight:

English teacher Catherine Shipman-Lobody is in her 10th year of teaching at Merrillville High School. She teaches Advanced Placement (AP) English Language and Advanced Composition Honors, as well as some English 11A courses. She is also the sponsor for the National Honor Society (NHS).

“As National Honor Society Sponsor, I oversee chapter activities such as meetings, ceremonies, fundraising and community service projects, induction of new members, and supporting existing members as they uphold the four pillars of character, scholarship, leadership, and service,” Shipman-Lobody said.

Being able to enforce education and leadership upon students ensures they develop skills, values, and the confidence needed to succeed both academically and personally. Shipman-Lobody possesses all the characteristics of an educator who goes above and beyond for the students at MHS.

Teaching at MHS is a responsibility that goes beyond delivering lessons, as it involves guiding students towards academic growth, discipline, and overall greatness. As an English teacher, it is important for Shipman-Lobody to prioritize high expectations of her students and push them to be the best they can be, especially after high school.

“I think the most important part of teaching, especially writing, is to help students think more critically or analytically about how a piece of writing is developed. It’s also important to enhance the skills they will need in college and other real-world writing situations,” Shipman-Lobody said.

Student Spotlight:

The Varsity Merrillville Boys’ Basketball team’s very own Josiah Jones is an exceptionally skilled forward who consistently dominates the game with strength, intelligence, and relentless effort. Standing out for his athleticism and court awareness, Jones excels at rebounding on both ends, finishing through contact, and setting the tone defensively. 

It is important for players to take good care of themselves so they can perform at their best for their team. Jones has just the right mindset and discipline to do so. He prioritizes preparation, conditioning, and recovery in order to allow him to give his best hustle and positively influence his team.

“From a mental standpoint, I always make sure to pray before the start of every game, which helps me keep my mind focused on not only basketball, but God as well. Physically, I get a thorough stretch in, loosen up my body, and eat a good meal before game time,” Jones said.

His leadership, work ethic, and ability to be a versatile player makes him a cornerstone of the Pirates’ success and a player whose impact is felt every time he steps on the court. Jones is a crucial element to the program, and through his sport, has learned to become a better version of himself. 

“The greatest lesson basketball has taught me is that you can get anything you want out of life as long as you put God first, work towards achieving your goals every day, and resist the urge to give up,” Jones said. 

His dedication, faith, and perseverance exemplify why he is a top performer for Merrillville basketball. He is a leader both on and off the court, setting the standard for his teammates through determination and a positive attitude.

As for conflict that may arise on the court, Jones handles it with maturity and composure, focusing on the comeback rather than letting emotions take control. He uses these opportunities to learn lessons and keep moving towards the end goal.

“When I’m conflicted or pressured in a game, I maintain a ‘next play’ mentality, meaning if a mistake occurs on the court, I toss it to the side and put as much effort as I can into redeeming myself on the next play,” Jones said.

The team has big goals to achieve this season, with one being a trip down to Indianapolis for a chance to compete in the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) State Championship. With hours of focus and hard work put into this sport, these boys are looking to make history this year for Merrillville.

“For this season, my goals are to get at least 1% better every day, keep Merrillville Basketball on the radar, and hopefully make a state run this year. We definitely have the guys to do it, and it’s all just a matter of doing it,” Jones said.