What’s Coming Up
In preparation for the upcoming dance season, the dance team has been practicing nonstop, but six certain dancers are putting in an extra 15 hours a week preparing for something else.
Arianna Scott, Skyler Allen, Linda Carrasco, Abby Hughes, Autumn Brown and Madeline Aldrich were chosen to be backup dancers for the R&B group Boyz II Men at the Festival of the Lakes on July 20. Former dance team member LeAzia Irving helped an agent get in contact with the girls and asked for six Portage High School dancers to be backup dancers for the concert. After the Fourth of the July Parade, the girls were chosen. The girls are practicing three hours a day, five days a week in preparation for this event. Scott believes this is one of the best opportunities she has ever received.
“It’s such a once in a lifetime opportunity for us as a team.” Scott said.
Student of the Month
For the past four years, Kaitlyn Bliss has been studying German at Portage High School. This June, Bliss travelled to Germany and Austria to test her knowledge and learn even more. For two weeks in June, Bliss spent time with a host family and then spent a week in Austria with other Portage High School students. Bliss was able tour these countries and also live like a local.
“Everything is so much older in Germany and there is just so much more history,” Bliss said. “I really liked seeing castles for the first time and they were everywhere. It was interesting to see how another family lives. They weren’t much different than us.” Bliss began her trip full of anxiety about being away from her family and home, but felt safer the entire time she was in Germany. She was able to create friendships that will last a lifetime and learn about a culture different from hers.
While Bliss enjoyed her time with a host family, she believes being in Salzburg, Austria was her favorite. Not only did she enjoy all the historic sites, but she also enjoyed the city’s acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community, which Bliss is a member of. After learning about German and Austrian culture, Bliss wants to continue her study of German and further explore the two countries in the future.
Staff of the Month
For the past three years, Senior Alec Garbaciak has been playing quarterback for the Portage Football team, but after a career ending injury last fall, Garbaciak will spend his final football season differently.
After being told by his doctor that he would not be able to play football ever again after breaking his leg last fall during a game, Garbaciak was crushed. Coaches Darren Rodriguez and Coach Matt Hills offered him the chance to help coach his former teammates.
“I was very excited [when I was asked] because it meant that I was able get an early start on my coaching career.” Garbaciak said.
Since practices started earlier this summer, he has been helping the quarterbacks and wide receivers by teaching routes and throwing to them. Although most of the team respects Garbaciak and takes his advice, he knew that taking the job would come with some troubles. “Some of the guys don’t take me serious as they do to the other coaches, but for the most part they all treat me like I’m a regular coach.” Garbaciak said. While he is distraught he will not be able to play under friday night lights starting this fall, Garbaciak is thankful that he is able to learn how to be a coach and prepare for his future of a teacher and a football coach.
What’s Happening
Jen Sass announced her resignation as Portage High School principal on July 6 via Twitter. Many Portage High School students and staff are looking back on her time as principal. For the past years, Sass served as principal and spent her time trying to better Portage High School. Senior Lexy Young says she will miss having Sass in the building and having her as a principal.
“Mrs. Sass has always supported sports and clubs at Portage High School so much,” Young said. “It’ll be hard to see her go, but I’m looking forward to new leadership at the school and see what the new principal will bring to the high school.” Sass was named the principal at New Prairie High School in New Prairie, Indiana. There has not yet been a new principal named for the 2016-2017 academic year. Students from every grade will miss Tuesday Rice Krispie Treats, getting a Sass Surprise for being a good citizen and everyone will miss the hashtags. Sass is known for not only her involvement in the classroom, but also through her twitter, @JenSass3. Sass always had the latest updates on all sports, clubs and all things Portage. Along with her updates, all students know about her signature hashtags: #phsstudentsrock, #phsproud and #makegoodchoices. Although many Portage students will miss the hashtags and funny tweets, we all wish her a great new chapter at New Prairie High School.