GreatNews.LifeStudent Voices: Students reach for the stars at Hammond Central

What’s recently happened?

Hammond Central High School (HCHS) students recently celebrated a major milestone by attending the 2026 prom. Dynasty Banquets hosted the highly anticipated evening on May 1, from 6-10 p.m. With the theme “Written in the Stars,” more than 200 attendees spent the night dancing, socializing, and creating lasting memories to close out the school year.

The event also featured the exciting crowning of the prom court. Five candidates ran for prom king and five ran for prom queen, with Prom Queen Jori Lawson and Prom King Joshua Dixon ultimately taking home the crowns.

“Prom was very fun.” senior Benjamin Pachowicz said. “Having the ability to hang out with a bunch of friends without the stress of life or schoolwork felt like the break everyone needed.”

Before the dance, three HCHS students had the opportunity to develop their professional skills at the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) Retreat. Running from April 17-19, the event gathered almost 100 students from various Northern Indiana schools.

The three-day retreat focused on building leadership qualities and featured a variety of motivational speakers from diverse backgrounds. HCHS students Edward Garcia, Joseph Hellems, and Neveena Funches were all nominated to attend the prestigious camp.

“RYLA was a wonderful leadership experience. I got tips on teamwork, collaboration, and leadership,” Garcia said. “I got to meet other student leaders across the state, all of whom held diverse backgrounds.”

Garcia noted that the environment played a big role in making the trip memorable and highly recommends the program to his peers.

“I also got to experience a camp environment for the first time,” Garcia said. “RYLA was a unique and valuable experience, and I encourage any student who has the opportunity to attend to go.”

What’s coming up?

As the school year draws to a close, anticipation peaks for the Class of 2026. HCHS will host its graduation ceremony on Sunday, May 31, at 2 p.m. Families and friends will pack the school’s football field to celebrate the graduating seniors during the milestone event.

“Graduation is a really huge thing in my life. I am excited and nervous at the same time,” senior Obet Viramontes-Romo said. “Soon, I will make enough money to buy myself drum gear, guitar gear, and do a lot of fun things I want to cross off my bucket list.”

Before the seniors walk across the stage, the Hammond Arts and Performance Academy (HAPA) has a busy month of musical events planned.

On Thursday, May 7, HAPA will host its Choir and Piano Concert at HCHS. The event begins at 6 p.m. with tickets available for $5, while performers will arrive around 5:30 p.m. to prepare.

The concert will feature a performance of “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver, bringing together guitar, bass, piano, and the choir.

“It is great that this is the first performance for many of us, including myself, and that everything is going so smoothly,” freshman Jayvon Hughes said. “The diversity of the group is so comfortable because it shows how well people from all backgrounds can work together to get one thing done.”

The musical momentum will continue later in the month with the highly anticipated annual HAPApalooza. The all-day music festival is scheduled for Saturday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Wolf Lake Pavilion, with admission set at $10.

Attendees can look forward to a full day of live entertainment. In addition to performances by the HAPA Rock Band, the event will feature sets from local groups Day by Day and Caught on Cline, bringing the community together for a massive celebration of local music and student talent.

Staff spotlight:

Spanish teacher Maria Robles views education as a lifelong journey for herself and her students. With 28 years of teaching experience, her career spans across borders and decades, bringing a wealth of cultural knowledge directly into her classroom.

Robles began her career in 1985 as a fourth-grade teacher in Mexico City. After moving to Chicago in 1991, she eventually attended classes at Purdue University to become a high school Spanish teacher in 2005. However, her inspiration to pursue education began long before that.

“I’ve wanted to be a teacher since I was a student in elementary school,” Robles said. “I had excellent teachers who inspired me. I believe I can make an impact on my students.”

Currently teaching Spanish 3, Dual Credit Spanish, and AP Spanish, Robles finds it deeply rewarding to watch her students develop their language skills over the course of three years. For her AP students in particular, the rigorous coursework pays off immensely when they are finally able to communicate fully in Spanish and succeed on their final exams.

Beyond the classroom, Robles serves as the co-sponsor for the National Honor Society (NHS). She stepped into the role after volunteering to interview applicants, a role that reminded her of the community service she regularly performed in Mexico. She points to the annual Thanksgiving dinner and Trick-or-Treat night as prime examples of student leadership successfully bringing the community together.

Robles also spearheads an upcoming school trip to Spain. She began planning the international excursion in September 2025. Though it will be her first time visiting the country, she is eager for her students to explore Barcelona and Madrid, visit historic landmarks like La Sagrada Familia, and experience authentic flamenco and tapas.

“My personal travel is a very important part of the things I teach and the way I plan my lessons,” Robles said. “I want students to learn not only the language but the culture, food, music, and customs.”

Balancing multiple levels of Spanish, NHS duties, and international trip planning requires strict organization. Robles relies on daily to-do lists and consciously limits her social media use to manage her time wisely without feeling overwhelmed.

In her free time, she walks her dog, listens to personal growth podcasts, and prioritizes meals with her family. She also makes sure to dance every day, even if it is just in the kitchen while cooking or cleaning.

Looking ahead, Robles has no plans to retire anytime soon. She cherishes attending school events like prom and graduation, and she loves to see her former students succeed in adulthood. For her current students, her advice is straightforward.

“Be organized, do not procrastinate, do all the assignments, and take care of your sleep and health so you can be at school every day prepared to learn,” Robles said. “Cherish your time in school because one day you will be an adult with lots of responsibilities and no time to enjoy with friends.”

Student spotlight:

Senior Kasiaja Williams concludes her final year at HCHS with a clear and ambitious vision for her future. Throughout her high school career, Williams has stayed dedicated to her academics as a member of the NHS.

As graduation approaches, Williams has her sights set on joining the military rather than taking a traditional college route right away. While she considered several branches, she ultimately decided to enlist in the United States Marine Corps.

“I chose to go to the Marines because they are the top of everything,” Williams said.

Williams has already started thinking about the specific career paths she hopes to pursue once she enlists. She explored a few distinct, hands-on roles to keep her options open.

“When I am in the military, I would want to pursue a career as either a military police officer, a firefighter, or a cook,” Williams said.

While she is prioritizing her military service, Williams still plans to pursue higher education. She has a strategic plan to balance her service with earning a college degree.

“I will go to boot camp first for those first three months, and then I will go to an education specialist,” Williams said. “They will show me what school I can go to and if it will be online or in person, based on where I am shipped off to.”

Outside of the classroom, she balances a variety of interests and responsibilities to keep herself busy.

“My favorite hobbies outside of school are doing hair and working at my retail job,” Williams said.

When looking back on her last four years at HCHS, Williams joked that her favorite memory was getting to go home after school every day. However, she still recognizes the value of her time as a student and encourages underclassmen to make the most of their own experiences.

“I would say don’t miss any days of school and enjoy every minute, because it will pass you by fast,” Williams said.