The Portage Exchange Club welcomed four outstanding Portage High School seniors from the Music/Drama Departments as Students of the Month at the October 21 morning meeting. Associate Administrator Max Gill introduced the students to the club. Then the students gave a brief autobiography, telling about their accomplishments and future plans.
Nicholas Blue is the drum major of the award-winning PHS Marching Band. He describes his role as drum major as "lots of fun." He maintains a 4.4 GPA. He is First Chair clarinetist in advanced orchestra and also plays piano. He has played in the pit orchestra for several high school musicals. Blue is also co-editor of the PowWow, the high school newspaper. The PowWow is presently a finalist in the Newspaper Hoosier Star competition for excellent high school newspapers. Blue plans to attend the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music to study music education. He hopes to become high school band director.
Lydia Gerkie is Student Body President and the other co-editor of the PowWow. She is First Chair cellist in advanced orchestra and active in the theater department. She has appeared in eight school shows during her high school career, as well as performing in community theater. This year she will appear as Red Rose in"The Nutcracker." She is co-choregrapher for the high school shows. Last summer she served as a Senate page. Gerkie plans to attend the University of Chicago and major in political science or international relations. She is third in the senior class and carries a 4.7 GPA.
Devon Ridgeway is both president of the Choraliers, the PHS Show Choir, and its co-choreograhper. This year the Choraliers has 28 members. Ridgeway also has appeared in eight high school shows and community theater. This year he will perform as the Cavalier Prince in "The Nutcracker." He plays French Horn in Marching Band. Ridgeway has a 4.4 gap and plans to attend the University of Chicago and major in molecular Engineering.
Sara Dailey is a member of Choraliers, is section leader for the violas in advanced orchestra, and is the treasurer for several high school organizations, including Choraliers and Thespians. This is her fourth year in the theater department. She has appeared in three shows at Valparaiso's Memorial Opera House, most recently "The Addams Family." She has sung with the Lyric Opera in Chicago and is a member of the Indiana All-State Choir. Last summer she toured Europe with the Ambassadors of Music. She plans to attend DePaul University and major in vocal performance.
The Portage Exchange Club welcome four seniors monthly from September through March and outstanding freshmen in April. Students of the Month recognizes students who excel in various areas of the high school community as well as are active in service to their school and community. The students are selected by members of the high school administration and are eligible to apply for the title of Student of the Year. This is a scholarship program recognized by the local, district and National Exchange Club.
For further information about the Portage Exchange Club, please call Kathy Cox at or visit the website http://www.portage-exchange.com/portal/ or the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Exchange-Club-of-Portage-Indiana-193581220672621/