The Shield (2015)

2015·186.2 MB·English

by  Lake County Public Library

Hopeful Trojans Jare Gutierrez (12)
¢ poses as the Trojan for the Homecoming
parad in hope for many Trojan victories
for all sports throughout the school year.
Big Dreamer Jackie Smailis (12) started
her senior year to not only make it to
state, but to pursue swimming at the
collegiat level. Smailis, who place 12th
in the 50 freestyl and 14th in the 100
backstroke at state, will swim for the
Boilermakers next fall.
Hoping for Laughs Zach Frale (10) and
Autumn Wilson (11) star in the Fall HTC
production of “Don&#3 Mention my Name.”
The cast had the audience erupting with
laughte on Septembe 27 and 28, 2014.
HIGHLAND HIGH SCHOOL
9135 Erie St Principal: Dr. Patrick Weil
Highland, IN 46322 Assistant Principals: Mr. William Madura
[phone] Mr. Justin Fronek
www.highland.k12.in.us Superintendent: Mr. Brian Smith
Population 1,111 School Board Members: Mr. Carlos Alburto
Mrs. Carol Green-Fraley
Mrs. Luanne Jurczak
Mr. Patrick Krull
Mr. Robert Kuva
2016 elect: Mrs. Vickie Crowley
LAKE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY :
3.3113 03687 4735
Hie finding out that it meant cancer was the most devastating feeling in the
school is arguably going to be a time for some of the best memories world. Throughout his experience, he had his friends and schools support
during his whole fight. His fellow classmates made shirts for him and had
of our lives. However, it may not seem like it now, while we routinely walk an orange day in his honor. Everyone came together to show their support
through the red lockered halls of Highland and sit in classrooms with for Bobbys hop to fight. He was happythey were always there for him.
boring whiteboards and desks. But in a few years we will look bac and Not even a year before, his mom fought breast cancer. Dempsey professed
think about what could have been. This school, our school, has helped us “It was hard to see what my mom went through, and I thought about how
embark on our journey to discover our potential and define who we want much bad luck we were having. That was hard to see.” Durin his
to become. It probably was not alway fun transitioning from the treatment, Dempseexplained that all he wanted to do was to see his
immaturity of a freshman to the seasoned senior or the years between, but friends. Instead, every day he had to go to the hospital for his treatment.
it is four years of our lives well never forget. Its the times everyone looks With time, this process got easier.
back upon and tells his/her children about. Everything we learn in high With his mother’s hop and strong support system, he wanted to fight. He
school becomes the foundation of what motivates us to continue and make believed he could get throug this hard time of his life. Some days were
our big dreams come true. worse than others, but his hop led him to know that everything would be
Here at Highland High School hop is all around us. Bobby Dempse ( oka in the end. Dempsey learned to appreciat the little things more, His
had a slightly different start as a freshman when he heard the words he advice to his classmates is, “Life is a gift and you need to learn to stop
never wanted to hear. Bobby Dempse had leukemia. His whole world w hating things. Try to be happy more. You dont know what is going to
flipped upside down. Demps shared, “My dad had to explain to me what happe to you. [ learned to enjo the little things more and the little things
leukemia was.” He wasn’t aware of the meaning of his condition, and that people d for you because those are what people do to help you get
has been carried b
support of our student bod throug his battle
with cancer. The support of his famil and
classmates allowed Bobby to never giv up. His
friends continue to carry Bobbtoday, even in
of surfing.
ways crowd
From the beginni of his
diagnosi Dempsey decided to figh and believe
&
that he would win his battle. There was no
other option.
Reachin
senior year was an
accomplishme in itself.
Dempse dedicated himself to
his studies, friendship and
leavin a positive mark on
Highlan Hig School.
After a
lifetime of playing baseball,
Dempsey heart was on the field
with his teammates even while he
went through treatment. In
return, the Baseball program
expresse their love and support
of Dempse and his fight.
throug the day.”
All the students of Highland High School came together as one to support
Bobbys decision to fight. The hop that Dempse showed throughout his
fight should inspire everyone to never give up. Bamps im our diverging
lanes will onl stall us for a short while, but in the end they are
opportunities to use to grow and often offer the best Tessons in life. His
experience has not only taught us t@ fever give up on ourselves, but it has
also shown us that nobody fights alone,
Here, we are surrounded b studénts whe are going through similar things
as each other. High school is a place where we discover whowe truly are. It
is important to remember that as you embark on your next stage of life, we
should experience things with an open mind and an open heart, Our
journey we take as high school students show us our little hope and big
dreams of life. We haye to always remember where we came from and
what got us here. Remember, Highland High School helped define who we
are and who we will become, This is the time for us to chang our little
hope that we have for ourselves into big dreams. Just like Bobby Demspey
and his fight, we learn to kee on hoping and never give up.
The Trojan History
FOREVER
IN OUR DREAMS...
It is clear that our student section reall knows how
to cheer on our team, but that&# no surprise You can
find this crowd of super fans at almost any game. As
tradition lives on, students dress in their best toga
ensembles for football Other
one season game.
annual events like Coaches vs. Cancer durin
basketball allows students and
season our
community to support causes and charities such as
the American Cancer Society.
Many little thing througho the buildin blocks of
Highlan Hig School assist students in developin
self pride as well as in each other. The senior bench,
A-lot, pe rallies, tailgat class competitions and
more, repla in each school year. Each tradition
carried from one year to the next allows Trojan to
continue to be united as one.
provided b Patrick O'H ATC
—
Ashle Melo (12) park
in A-Lot. This lot has
been known as Senior
Lot since 1970 when
the Staff Lot was
constructed.
Our Mascot Troy,
portraye bJared
Gutierrez (12) attends
every sporting event to
cheer on all of our
teams. He bring spirit to
not onl the games but
the pe rallies and
parad as well.
Photo Credit Killian O'Don
After every victory on our home turf, our boy
run the bell across the field to be rung in honor
of our bi wins! Seein the bell not onl excites
the player but the crowd goe wild as well.
Donated b Mr. Madura’s class of 1969, this bell
bring celebration and prid to each game as we
take hom a victory!
Photo Credit: Mrs. Sherri Ralp Our annual pep rallies take plac in the main
gym where the student bod comes togethe to
show their school spirit for the seasons teams.
Games also take plac one bein tug of war
shown here. During the winter pep rally the
basketball, swimming, and wrestlin teams
battle agains each other for the win.
Little Hopes
Randy Rhoten (12) joined the Football team during summer of 2014. Not to run
on th field and tackle someone, or to throw a touchdown. Instead he joined to
support his friends, crack jokes, and to be a part of something big. Rhoten,
known for his famous laugh, built relationships like no other. From group
pictures before the Homecoming Dance with the team, and sharing the dance
floor the Trojans hoped for so much more than including Rhoten. He was their
companion, friend and go to person. Rhoten who was diagnosed with
Medulloblastoma cancer at the age of 4 years and 6 months was only given 6
months to live. With experimental treatments and adult doses of radiation,
Rhoten survived. With smiles Rhoten hopes to move to Disney World some day
to find employment as a character like Mickey Mouse, Goofy or Chip and Dale.
With hope of
makin it bi
someda soon,
Catherine Larson
(11) tried for
out
,
The Voice Spring
2015.
In hope of
learnin the
career
demands of
:
Athletic Training, ee eS
Lindse Grzyms # a
(12) and Sara
E:
Gordon (11) assist)
Patrick O'Ha f
ATC with an injury
the sidelines.
on sa
ile tee sect tela)
On a Frida afternoon prior to the Highlan Trojans vs. Lowell
Red Devils, the field was lined with its usual white paint. Also
painte that da was the 365 yar line in honor of the badg
number of Merrillville Police Officer Nickolaus Shultz who
was shot in the line of duty Shultz was a 2009 Lowell
graduat Highlan Hig School shared in the sadness and
also in the dream of hop for safe in our community and
surroundin
areas.
Emil Bisho (12)
shared hop to
impact her
kindergart class at
Southridg Elementar
while servin as a
cadet teacher.
Ran Rhoten (12)
shows his true
Highlan Pride durin
the Homecoming Pe
Rall
Boy Scout, Kyl Polster&# (11)
dreams came true when he
complete his Eagl Scout
Projec Sprin 2015 b
helpin with the
beautification of the Lincoln
Center sign.
Number 1 Singl playe
Holly Santagui (12) signe
he letter of intent with
Huntington University to
fufill her dream of playin
colleg tennis.
Big Dreamer
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a genetic disorder that occurs
in one out of three thousand male infants. For most people who
do find out they have been diagnosed, it is a devastating blow
to their lives; but not to junior Haitham Zitioui. Zitioui is known
as one of the most optimistic and intelligent people at school by
his peers. He shows this by his will power to make himself the
best he can be.
He and his family noticed a limp that slowly began to introduce
itself to his life. His parents had him checked by numerous
doctors, but they all disregarded it. At age five, a new specialist
diagnosed and confirmed that he had Duchenne Muscular
Dystrophy. Althoug Zitioui had a limp, he was still able to do
anything else a normal child was able to do. Being able to run,
walk, jump, and play during recess would soon be memories of
the past. By nine years of age, Zitioui needed a walker and a
wheelchair to get around. He was n longer able to play with
the other kids during recess. But nevertheless, he kept his head
and his hope high.
Upo transferring to the middle school in seventh grade, Zitioui
no longe had to sit on the sidelines and watch since there was
no more recess. He then used his intellect to overcome the
obstacle that was his disability. His mind is the tool he used to
succeed. Zitioui uses his brain to overcome challenges daily.
Zitioui continues to challenge his mind everyday. Many people
have to overcome many different obstacles on a daily basis.
Whether it’s fear, addictions, or in Zitioui&#3 case, a disability, it
has become a way of life for him. Zitioui’s goals include getting
a Ph in theoretical physics and becoming a professor of
theoretical physics in a university setting. His will to succeed
will allow him to achieve this goal and reach beyond his and
anyone else’s expectations.
8
INDIANA
a?
st)
The ho of
servin our
country in the
various militar
branches will
become realit
a
Photo Cred for these Trojans
The dream of being as strong as he
could durin football was practice
for the strengt needed when
Matthew Markovich (12) received
the diagnosi of leukemia just
weeks before graduatio
Haitham Zitioui (11) makes his
way to his next class with a smile
hi face.
on