When not reminding the students of Portage High School that “it is a great day to be an Indian” on the Indians News Network at PHS you are sure to find senior, Matthew Elish in any number of other activities.
Elish’s involvement in National Honor Society, National Foreign Language Honor Society, football, broadcasting, student council, and natural helpers has made him a well-known face around PHS.
“I'm involved with a lot of these activities because of either my girlfriend or brother,” Elish said. “My girlfriend is the one who drove me to join activities such as broadcasting and student council. My brother is the one who influenced me to start playing football.”
“I pushed Matt to audition for INN because I knew it would benefit him in the long run,” Elish’s girlfriend, Ela Pascua said. “I knew that INN would open a lot of doors for him in the future and I was so proud of him when he got the position.”
Making the most of his senior year Elish auditioned and earned a spot as a sports anchor on the school's morning news, the Indians News Network.
“Matt has such a positive attitude and provides a rational way of thinking,” Portage High School Journalism Advisor, Melissa Deavers-Lowie said. “He’s an excellent leader for the younger students on staff.”
In the fall, Elish entered his fourth year as a member of the football team. After finishing a not so victorious season he learned that he was named to the 2015 High School Academic All-State Football Team.
“I was really excited and couldn’t stop smiling,” Elish said. “I celebrated by not doing my homework that night and taking a nap for once.”
Recently PHS held their twenty-fourth annual Outstanding Young Man scholarship program. Elish competed alongside twenty-four of his peers and after being judged in casual, fitness, presentation/address and interviews Elish was selected as the 2016 Outstanding Young Man.
“Winning outstanding young man was just incredible,” Elish said. “To get to represent all those guys who participated this year in the Outstanding Young Man program is just a great feeling.”
Another place you can find Elish when he is not doing some activity at PHS is at the local Portage Aurelio's restaurant.
“My title is Steam, I make appetizers and sandwiches,” Elish said. “It gets stressful sometimes but it's not bad at all for a first job.”
With his senior year entering its final stretch Elish is excited and optimistic about the opportunities in his future upon graduation.
“I hope to attend the University of California, Los Angeles to study Aerospace Engineering,” Elish said. “I look forward to starting the next chapter of my life and seeing what I can accomplish as far as my dreams and life in general.”