#1StudentNWI: The Start of Summer for Valparaiso

#1StudentNWI: The Start of Summer for Valparaiso

What’s Happening

Here in Valparaiso there are plenty of things to do!

One of the big draws of Valparaiso is the many beautiful parks available. ValPlayso is a fun and safe park for kids all around to come and play in. The equipment is made out of recycled products and will last for 40 years! The equipment used is inclusive as well.

Ogden Gardens is a beautiful park to walk around with its beautiful flowers to gaze at. You can use this park for picnics, meetings, and more! It’s a wonderful place to go when the flowers start blooming around the trails.

Sunset Hill Farms Park is a wonderful sightseeing park. With its many landscapes to walk in, it’s a wonderful place to hike, fish, geocache, and more!

You can also go shopping in the downtown area of Valparaiso. There are many shops and boutiques to look at such as Ivy Boutique and Piper’s Children Boutique.

There are also many restaurants to eat at such as Pesto’s or Burgerhaus, that will make your tastebuds dance and give a chance for people-watching from the patio.

There are also plenty of other events going on around in Valparaiso, such as the Year Round Run Club that meets at Sunset Hill Farms, Open Stage at Front Porch Music, Zao Island’s 2018 Summer Concert Series, and plenty more.

What’s Happened?

1Student-Valpo-2018-June-01Summer is here and the students of Valparaiso High School are bursting with joy at what this summer has to offer!

In May, students at VHS were wrapping up the end of the year with final exams and the graduation of our senior class. As the end of the month neared, students became more solemn and keep to themselves, focusing on the two important things ahead of them, final exams and graduation. Activities at VHS started to wrap up for the year, The last being prom, held at the Porter County Expo Center on May 18, which was a wonderful night for many.

The theme, Midnight Rendezvous, had the expo center decked out in decorations that made the night magical for many. After the dazzling weekend though, students got to work on studying for their finals.

On the last day of school, students said their goodbyes to their friends before they took their last final for the year. This school year was had many ups and downs but created a unique experiences for all. The end of the year is a great reminder to cherish the memories of this year and become prepared for the next.

Teenage spotlight: Lucia Otten

1Student-Valpo-2018-June-03Lucia is 15 years old and is a high school student at Valparaiso High School. She is very active in the school community and takes pride in her activities she does in and out of school.

What activities have you done in high school so far?

“I have done soccer, basketball, I participated in Earth Awareness club for a while and I also play in the orchestra. I’m in Spanish club, the Spanish Olympiad team, and academic Super Bowl.”

What positions did you hold in those activities?

“I was (for basketball) one of the captains for the freshman team."

What are you going to do now for this upcoming school year?

“I hope to make the soccer team again, I’m going to try out this August. In place of Basketball, I am probably going to join the swim team because I recently tried and liked it. I’ll be continuing all of the clubs I’m in.”

Where do you see yourself in five years?

“I would like to attend college, no idea where. I’m interested in Spanish Language and Arts/Humanities.”

Adult spotlight: Robert Schulte

1Student-Valpo-2018-June-04How Long have you been with the Valpo Fire Department?

“Well, I’ve been with the Valparaiso Department for 16 years. I was a volunteer on two different departments for probably ten years before so, 26 years total but 16 years with the Valparaiso Department.”

What Inspired you to become a Firefighter?

“A lot of my friends were firefighters at the time when I became a volunteer and it kind of inspired me to become a volunteer. Then I took an EMT course and a paramedic course and it inspired me to want to be a career Firefighter.”

How has the Fire Department helped make Valparaiso a better place?

“I think the Fire Department helps every day to make Valparaiso a better place. Not only do we strive to provide the best fire and EMS service but we’re very active. We care about the community, we care about the service we give to the community and I think everyday we’re making it a better place.

Are there any events that the Fire department is going to be involved in this year?

“Our local union, The Firefighter’s union, has different events and then we also have fire department events. One that we work together on is the picnic with a fireman that we hold at Foundation Meadows Park. The kids can come, see trucks and we have our safety house our there. Then they can eat hot dogs, chips, and run through some water and have a good time. So that’s probably our next event on July 28th.”

The Fire Department in Valparaiso strives to make Valparaiso a better place everyday. They put in the effort to be considerate to everyone and engage kids to learn more about Firefighting.

Come to Foundation Meadows Park on July 28th to enjoy Picnic with a Fireman.