Indiana University Summer Honors Program recently announced the selection of Hobart High School junior Crystal Velez to study in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, for seven weeks beginning in June. This is the 46th year of the IU program, which tests and evaluates interested junior applicants. Only thirty students from the state of Indiana  are chosen for the Mexico Program.

Crystal, the daughter Robin Catlin and Ruben Velez, began the selection process in October, when she successfully passed a stringent Spanish language test. The next step included a letter Crystal wrote in Spanish, and letters  of recommendation that were evalated in December. At the next level of competition she participated in an interview conducted in both Spanish and English. Finally, Crystal received notification of her selection on March 24.

In a letter of recommendation, Ms. Gail Hammer, Crystal's Spanish teacher wrote, "Crystal is a positive influence in the classroom. She maintains a solid "A"  in my class (but) her willingness to go the extra mile sets her apart from many."

When asked about her reaction to her study trip, Crystal said, "I was ecstatic! It has been a long-time dream to be granted the opportunity to study abroad. My immersion in the Mexican culture will open so many doors for me in my education, career, and the world in general. I want a career in the medical field as a physician's asistant or as a family doctor. In either case, being bilingual will only help me be more successful. My main goal is to help people of all backgrounds and social classes. It would be ideal to practice medicine in another country. I feel that cultural diversity is something to be embraced and explored. This summer when I embark on my trip, I will be taking the first step of my career path. While in Mexico, I hope to learn as much as possible about the culture and history, and also to learn to speak Spanish fluently without hesitation.  I am very proud to represent my school's foreign language department, and I owe it all to Señorita Hammer for supporting me and convincing me to be involved  in the IU Honors Program. Words cannot express my excitment and gratitude."

Indeed, Señorita Hammer has first-hand knowledge of this excellent program, as she was selected for this honor while in high school and spent a summer in San Lius Potosi.

The Foreign Language Department congratulates Crystal and looks forward to her enthusiastic contribution to language study at Hobart High School upon her return. ¡Felicitaciones! y ¡Buen Viaje!

(Posted 03-30-07)
Kailyn Keilman Receives Double Honors

Kailyn Keilman, a Hobart High School junior, won top prize with her poster depicting the theme, "Learn a Foreign Language," in the contest sponsored by the Foreign Language Department. She won a cash prize of $30.00. The second place went to fellow junior, Abigail Lear, who received $15.00. Both posters, as well as other outstanding entries, were displayed in the auditorium lobby. Kailyn's poster was also selected for the cover of the HHS Student Handbook 2007-2008. Kailyn is a Gifted and Talented Art student studying with art teacher Mrs. Kim Bucheit.

(Posted 03-21-07) By: Anthony Gary. On February 23, a group of 13 HHS students,led by teachers Hank Jarvis and Drew Martin, attended a Project Lead The Way engineering conference on the IUPUI campus in Indianapolis, IN. It was an all-day conference that gave students a chance to sit in on different lectures regarding various types of engineering. The conference was broken into several small discussion rooms located in vacant classrooms along the campus. * Students seemed to enjoy the conference and had great things to say about it. Junior Amber Warren said, "I really enjoyed the speech about biochemical engineering. It was very insightful." Some of the other sessions involved a lesson on hovercrafts, an in-depth look into a Rolls Royce jet engine motor, and the architectural plans for an airport currently under construction in Indianapolis. Students also seemed to enjoy having the day off from school to attend the conference. "The sessions were great and the lunches provided were very good, too." said enthusiastic Junior Ben Frankowski. * On March 5, both Project Lead The Way teachers took a different group of students to the same conference on the Valparaiso University campus. Students enjoyed this conference as well.

Pictured from left to right: Paul Pester, Sam Johnson, Mike Diaz, Aaron Weber, Anthony Molinaro, Brad Eaton, Matt Cummings, Josh Lucas, Brad Smith, Anthony Gary, Amber Warren, Nate Trinosky, and Ben Frankowski

(Posted: 02-27-07) Five HHS vocal music students participated in the statewide ISSMA Solo and Ensemble Contest Saturday, Feb. 24, at Warren Central High School in Indianapolis. Hobart soloists competed in five events, performing before judges and audience members. Junior Kara Hickman earned a gold medal in piano performance. Gold medal winners in the vocal solo category were freshman Talia Anderson, juniors Devona Salazar and Crystal Velez, and senior Jennifer Trcka. For Kara Hickman and Crystal Velez, this was their second year to earn trips downstate, while senior Jennifer Trcka completed her ISSMA contest career with a rare sixth trip downstate, going back to her seventh grade year. Trcka eaned a perfect score with her solo entry.
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(Posted: 02-20-07) Frankie Porras, Johnny Dillon, Eric Galka, and Brennan Cosgrove competed in the State Wrestling Meet this past weekend in Indianapolis. All four wrestlers made All-State! Eric Galka was undefeated at 48-0 this season, and took State Champion title; Brennan Cosgrove went 45-4, and won State Runner-up! Everyone did a great job this great season.

(Posted: 02-05-07) Congratulations to our HHS choir students! Twenty-three students participated in the ISSMA District 1 Solo and Ensemble Contest on Saturday, Feb. 3, at Valparaiso HS. Hobart students competed in ten separate events, performing before judges and audience members. Group One gold medal winners qualify for the state contest at Warren Central HS in Indianapolis on Feb. 24. Vocal soloists qualifying for state were: Talia Anderson, Devona Salazar, Jennifer Trcka, and Crystal Velez. Karah Hickman qualilfied for state in piano performance. The vocal groups Wolffgang and Mystique each earned silver medals. Wolffgang members are: Samantha Bodnar, Ann Govert, Karah Hickman, Stacey Karataglidis, Abby Lams, Hannah Lams, Abbey Lear, Jennifer Trcka and Crystal Velez. Mystique members performing were: Jennifer Allendorf, Talia Anderson, Hope Boeringa, Kelly Buhmann, Melissa Cooper, Jazmine Griffith, Mikayla Hatch, Amy Knox, Mallory Marco, Megan Pope, Kylee Miller, Devona Salazar and Stephani Truchan. Stephanie Truchan also earned a silver medal in Group One piano performance.Samantha Bodnar received a perfect score for her Group One vocal solo.Ashley Lewis earned a gold medal in Group Three vocal performance.

(Posted: 02-05-07) Congratulations to the AP Psychology students who took top awards at the Brain Bee competition held at IUN on Friday, Feb. 2. The students competed against those from four other schools. and answered questions dealing with a variety of topics including sensation, sleep, mental illness, and more. Robin Mitrisin won first place, Jacob Novak took 2nd, and Rob Smallman won third. The class also won the Team Award. Robin is now qualified to participate in the International Brain Bee in March at the University of Maryland.

(Posted: 02-05-07) Seven Wrestlers will be advancing to semi-state competition this weekend. Frankie Porras, Johny Dillon, Eric Galka,and Brennan Cosgrove won the regional championship; Chris Johnson, Jake Plesac, and Cory Greener took second. Good luck at semi- state on Saturday!

(Posted: 01-29-07) Congratulations to the Hobart High School Cheerleaders for receiving the championship trophy at competition! They also received a bid to go to Nationals in Myrtle Beach.