Latest news with #HighlandHighSchool
Chicago Tribune
12-05-2025
- Science
- Chicago Tribune
BP hosts event encouraging high school girls to work in STEM
Orlan Drummond has always been interested in a career in science, technology, engineering and math. When she was a child, she would help her dad with STEM-related events at the Boys and Girls Club, and Drummond has been interested in hands-on activities. 'I always had a fear that I'd be the only woman in the workforce, and I'd be discriminated against,' said Drummond, a junior at Highland High School who wants a career in welding. 'I just didn't want that fear of being alone. Seeing other women in a field like this, I know I won't be alone, and there will be people to support.' Drummond was one of about 25 high school students who took part in BP's annual Girls in STEM day at the Whiting refinery. Participants came from Hammond, Highland and East Chicago. 'I like to get my hands dirty, and I like to mess with stuff,' Drummond said. 'This has really helped me with that.' The refinery has hosted the event for high school girls since about 2016, said Gwen Miller, a BP process engineer. The event features presentations and interactive activities that teach participants about careers at the refinery. Students also participated in a tour of the facility, which Miller said she hoped gave students more of an idea of what it's like to work at BP. 'My favorite part is probably the tour,' she said. 'I worked at other places before, and until you're really at some place this large, you don't realize the scale.' Miller wishes she had a program like Girls in STEM Day when she was in high school. 'It's really exciting because I do love being in STEM so much,' Miller said. 'I really hope they find this valuable, especially some of the interactive activities. I didn't learn some of these things until college … so I'm hoping this inspires them to pursue careers in STEM because they might not have had exposure to this kind of thing before.' Kourtney Trotter, an operation specialist, said she was excited to teach high school students about STEM. She helped with a computer simulation that correlates with processes that Trotter and others might see at work. Trotter thought it was awesome to watch high school girls get so excited about STEM careers, she said. 'Representation absolutely matters,' Trotter said. 'I think it'll definitely have a positive impact on them going forward and will let them know that they can do it, too.' Julie Jones, a work-based learning coordinator at the Hammond Area Career Center, said she enjoyed watching how engaged students were with the presentations and activities. Jones believes it's helpful for students to see 'a more advanced version' of what's taught at the career center in the workplace. The career center brought eight students, including Drummond, to the STEM event Friday. As their teacher, Jones said she was proud to see her students thriving in a STEM environment. 'I love it,' she added. 'I'm having a blast because they're asking great questions, and it's really wonderful seeing them be so engaged.'
Chicago Tribune
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Northwest Indiana high school quartet to show off construction skills
Before his senior year of high school, Dylan Sjoquist didn't know Bryce Graham, Alex Waszak and Kristofer Garner well. But now, the four seniors aren't just teammates, but good friends. 'The other guys are also pretty passionate about what they're doing for the project, and it's really good working with them,' said Sjoquist, a Highland High School senior. 'We're able to have trust in the other person to get their part of the job done, and we're able to work on our own thing at the same time.' The four Northwest Indiana high schoolers make up a construction team that has seen regional and national success. In June, the teens will compete in the Skills USA Championships, which celebrates skilled trades and accomplishments of those interested in trades, according to the SkillsUSA website. The week-long conference, which is held in Atlanta, brings together 6,500 state champions who compete for national gold, silver and bronze medals in 114 different competitions. The Highland group will compete in SkillsUSA's TeamWorks category, which focuses on carpentry, roofing, masonry, plumbing, electrical and teamwork skills. Garner said last year the classmates competed individually, but they learned this year that they do better as a team. The group won SkillsUSA's state competition in April, and Garner said they placed second at a regional competition. 'I'm pretty excited (for nationals),' Garner said. 'For state, we weren't really — or at least I — wasn't expecting too much of a good outcome, but we got first. I'm just going to try not to be too worried about it, but be prepared and go into it and have fun.' Graham, Sjoquist and Waszak all said they're excited for the SkillsUSA national competition as well. Waszak said they can all focus on different areas they're most passionate about, and he thinks that creates a better final product. Scott Ciupak, the group's construction technology instructor at the Hammond Area Career Center, said watching their success has set a good example for current and future career center students. 'It's very fulfilling,' Ciupak said. 'They're just very ambitious, eager individuals, and it's motivating for me because it encourages me to have more and more for them. … It really increases the quality of our program by having better examples and peer mentors for the group that comes up behind them.' The Hammond Area Career Center offers 13 career pathways for students at 10 Northwest Indiana high schools, according to the center's website. The career center has a two-year program, where juniors typically make up the first-year class and seniors make up the second-year class. During junior year, students focus on structural components of building a house, including walls, floors and roofs framed out of wood. Second-year, or capstone, students are taken to local job sites for nonprofits, Ciupak said, and they help with light remodels, flooring, painting, trim work and more. 'I've been using most of my skills on my house, which is in a big remodel mode,' Waszak said. 'I redid the basement, I redid the bathroom, I did a lot of drywall, and my garage is half-insulated.' Waszak wanted to join the program because he wanted to learn what options he had outside of traditional school. Like Waszak, Graham joined the program because he was interested in the construction field, and he wanted something outside the traditional classroom setting. 'I really enjoy it,' Graham said. 'It's something I'm passionate about, and it's fun, and it's a way to give back to the community, while actually learning things that benefit us and our future.' Although he's still in high school, Graham owns his own business, Graham Property Services, which focuses on landscaping, lawn care and snow removal. The program has taught him how to effectively and smoothly run the business, Graham said. Sjoquist also owns a business, Patriot Property Solutions, which helps with interior and exterior renovations, including work on patios, landscaping, deck building and staining. After high school, Sjoquist plans to focus solely on his business. The career center program has taught Sjoquist what his path might look like, and he's learned what qualities he's looking for in future employees. 'Going through this class, seeing what's important to these people who are taking the course and seeing what qualities I should look for in employees, is definitely a big thing,' Sjoquist said. After high school, Garner said he plans to attend Purdue University Northwest, and although he doesn't know what he wants to study yet, the career center program has helped him learn more about his options. 'It was really nice to learn how the construction trades work,' Garner said. 'In my opinion, college is better for me if it's affordable, but I still really think the trades are important, and I feel like a lot of people should take the time to at least learn a little about them.'
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
APS students ‘Spring Into Action' through district-wide food drive
(KRQE) – APS students sprang into action on Saturday morning to help the nearly 4,000 students in need of food within the district through a food drive. APS students are showing up for their fellow classmates to answer a call to action for those who fall under the McKinney-Vento Act. From sunrise to sunset, students are collecting ready-to-eat, non-perishable items for unhoused students. The McKinney-Vento Program offers services to homeless children and their families, including: referrals for housing, school supplies, and nutritious meals. 'It feels cool that we're all united and trying to just be here for the same cause,' shared senior Highland High School student Kaylin Gonzalez. Family of Albuquerque Public Schools student who was pepper sprayed on campus sues district 'They called and said, 'Our shelves are low, can we restock them?'' said Leslie Coe, APS Activities Manager. 'So, we reached out to our 13 high schools who help with the drive every year, and they said, absolutely, we're busy with proms and graduations, but we're gonna make it work because these kids need to eat, and our students recognize helping their peers is the biggest importance.' With as many as 4,000 APS students across grades K through 12 in need of support, APS called out to the community for a helping hand. 'Every school in APS has at least one McKinney-Vento student who needs our help. So, it is a school-wide effort, a district-wide effort, and now an Albuquerque-wide effort because the community can come out and donate to us on Saturday,' said Coe. Graduation rate increases for Albuquerque Public Schools 'I don't think there's any shame in having to ask for help because we're all human. We're never perfect. It's okay to always ask for a hand,' said Highland High School senior Kaylin Gonzalez. Normally, the APS activity board hosts a fall food drive, but because of the increased need this spring, the district decided to host an additional drive to bolster support. 'It's like a very small way to give back. It doesn't take much out of you, and I think it's just really important to help out our community in any way that we can,' said a senior Highland High School student. APS was able to collect over two van loads of food for McKinney-Vento students. For those unable to attend, the program is always looking for donations. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Highland High students create PSA video for Distracted Driving Month
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — April is Distracted Driving Month, and according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving claimed over 3,000 lives in 2023, with texting being the most prominent distraction, and teenagers being more susceptible. A group of students at Highland High School have taken it on themselves to develop a PSA they hope can make an impact. Though, it wouldn't be out of place on your TV screen, looking as if shot by seasoned pros. 'Basically, I told the students to create a PSA about distracted driving, and three students took advantage to create one,' said video production teacher Jose Zavala. What goes into making a video like this? 'The filming, definitely probably the shortest part of it. Editing is the longest part of it but that's what makes it really come together and showcase the effects.' PG&E drones used in Kern County for electrical structure maintenance 'It took a lot of planning, we probably sat down for a couple days thinking of what we should do for distracted driving,' said junior Zane Rock. 'Now we have submitted that PSA for three competitions,' said Zavala. We have won one second place for the Kern High film festival, and there's two other ones, but unfortunately, those will happen in May.' Now, the students wait to see if that hard work will pay off once again at those film festivals, but knowing their work can also make an impact makes that wait feel a little bit shorter. 'Not only being recognized for us, but people are recognizing that distracted driving is a big issue,' said same students at Highland would also like to invite you to the screening of their short film, 'Highland's Hidden Treasure,' which will take place Friday, April 25 with two screenings at 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. at Highland High School. Tickets will be $10 at the door. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Repatriated Utahns face U.S. criminal charges relating to failed Congo coup
Three men, including two Utahns, repatriated to the United States on Tuesday and another man face federal criminal charges in connection with their participation in a failed coup in Congo last year. A criminal complaint was unsealed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Salt Lake City charging Marcel Malanga, 22, Tyler Thompson, 22, Benjamin Zalman-Polun, 37, and Joseph Peter Moesser, 67, all U.S. citizens, with conspiring to provide material support and resources, conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction, conspiracy to bomb places of government facilities and conspiracy to kill or kidnap persons in a foreign country, among other offenses. Malanga, Thompson and Zalman-Polun are expected to make their initial appearances at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, New York. Moesser is expected to make an initial appearance Thursday at the federal courthouse in Salt Lake City, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Utah. After their initial appearances in New York, Malanga, Thompson and Zalman-Polun are expected to appear in Salt Lake City for further legal proceedings. If convicted, they face up to 15 years in prison on each count. The indictment alleges the men conspired to carry out a coup on May 19, 2024, in Congo, including an armed military operation that targeted Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi and Deputy Prime Minister for the Economy Vital Kamerhe. Men wearing camouflage fatigues and armed with weapons attacked and entered the Palais de la Nation and Kamerhe's private residence, which was riddled with bullet holes after the attack, according to the complaint. At least six people died during the attack, including two police officers protecting Kamerhe's residence, and at least one civilian. Christian Malanga, a former Utah car salesman with eight children and a businessman and politician from Congo, led the foiled coup attempt. Malanga livestreamed video from the presidential palace during the coup attempt and was killed while resisting arrest, according to Congolese authorities. 'It was the goal of the rebel forces to topple the DRC and to murder President Félix Tshisekedi and Kamerhe, and others, with the goal of installing Christian as the new president of the DRC. They intended on renaming the DRC to New Zaire,' according to the indictment. Federal authorities allege Malanga's son identified himself as 'Chief of Staff of the Zaire army' and acted as a leader of the rebel forces. Zalman-Polun was Christian Malanga's chief of staff, Moesser was the explosives maker, explosives technician, and explosives supplier and Thompson was a soldier and drone specialist/operator, according to the complaint. Christian Malanga moved from Congo to the U.S. as part of a refugee resettlement program in the late 1990s and attended Highland High School in Salt Lake City, according to his Facebook page. He returned to his native country to serve as an officer fighting rebels. Forced into exile in 2012 following an initial coup attempt, he referred to himself as president of the 'New Zaire' government. Malanga claimed he was the president of the United Congolese Party, which describes itself as an 'opposition political party-in-exile.' He appeared in a 2014 Deseret News story about an Ebola outbreak in Africa. Marcel Malanga and Thompson played football together at Copper Hills High School in West Jordan, Utah. Thompson flew to Africa from Utah for what his family believed was a free vacation, the AP reported. The two men, along with Zalman-Polun, faced the death penalty in Congo for participating in the foiled coup but Congolese presidential spokesperson Tina Salama posted Tuesday on X that they were pardoned and their sentences commuted to life in prison. They returned to the U.S. on Tuesday. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said Tuesday that the men are in U.S. custody. She said the U.S. government strongly condemns last year's attack and supports Congolese authorities in holding those responsible appropriately accountable. 'At the same time, we seek consistent, compassionate, humane treatment and a fair legal process on behalf of those U.S. citizens,' she said. According to the charges, the four men planned, scouted out targets and identified victims for the attack, including high-level Congolese government officials. They recruited others to join the rebel army and, in some cases, paid them. They also procured firearms, ammunition, uniforms, communication equipment and communication-jamming equipment from businesses and private parties, the complaint says. The pardon and repatriation of the three men came as Congolese authorities aim to sign a minerals deal with the U.S. in exchange for security support that will help Kinshasa fight rebels in the country's conflict-hit east, per The Associated Press. President Donald Trump's senior adviser for Africa last week confirmed the countries were in talks on the issue and said it could involve 'multibillion-dollar investments,' AP reported. The U.S. has estimated Congo has trillions of dollars in mineral wealth, much of it untapped. 'This decision is part of a dynamic of strengthening judicial diplomacy and international cooperation in matters of justice and human rights between the two countries,' according to a statement from Congo's presidency.
