Truth from the Youth

CHRISTMAS PAST & PRESENT

Posted on December 13, 2022December 13, 2022 by admin

Spirited superior to A Christmas Carol in telling the tale of Scrooge

By Batoul Achy and Seidet Segura

Columnists

This is the third installment of Movie Night with Batoul & Seidet, a monthly series in which Batoul Achy and Seidet Segura will collaborate on and taking turns writing classic movie reviews from a modern perspective.

The 1951 film A Christmas Carol and 2022 film Spirited are both films that share a handful of similarities, yet differences. A Christmas Carol is a take on the book A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Spirited is a modern retake with a plot twist of the 1951 film. Overall, Spirited is better since it feels more alive and the message is clearer than in A Christmas Carol.

OH, CHRISTMAS TREE

Posted on December 9, 2022December 9, 2022 by admin

City holds parade, tree lighting to kick off Festival of Lights

By Abby Killingbeck and Andrea Roberts

Staff writers

MICHIGAN CITY – Holiday spirit, here we come.

Michigan City hosted a parade and tree lighting to set off the Festival of Lights on Saturday evening in the downtown area on Franklin Street.

“I was very happy with the turnout, “ said Terry Greetham, Director of Special Events of Michigan City.

NO MATTER WHAT

Posted on December 7, 2022December 7, 2022 by admin

MCAS teacher/coach Colin Yarnelle impacts youth through dedication

By Batoul Achy

Staff Writer

MICHIGAN CITY – Many people sit and watch the world go by, while Colin Yarnelle stands up to make a change.

Yarnelle, 32, is the defensive backs coach for the Michigan City High School football team, and is a computer science teacher at Krueger Middle School.

He’s motivated by God, love and curiosity to make a difference in the lives of others.

“I do what I do because I love life,” Yarnelle said. “Waking up everyday is not an, ‘Oh no, here we go another day again.’ Everyday I wake up I’m like, ‘Oh, I wonder what’s gonna happen today.’”

WISHY-WASHY

Posted on November 16, 2022December 14, 2022 by admin

Disney’s Pinocchio falls short despite stellar animation

By Batoul Achy & Seidet Segura

Columnists

This is the second installment of Movie Night with Batoul & Seidet, a monthly series in which Batoul Achy and Seidet Segura will collaborate on and taking turns writing classic movie reviews from a modern perspective.

The 1940 film Pinocchio is one of the most influential animation films, even after 82 years. The movie is well known for a bunch of great reasons, including Pinocchio’s physical features and its detailed animation. Although the movie is visually appealing, the plot and dramatic scenes fail to complete the movie entirely. Pinocchio isn’t the best, but definitely deserves credit for inspiring future generations of animated films.

WOLVES IN TRAINING

Posted on November 10, 2022November 10, 2022 by admin

Krueger, Barker volleyball developing promising athletes

By Iyanna Adkins

Staff Writer

MICHIGAN CITY – Krueger volleyball coach Mandy Ketcham is making a huge impact on Michigan City.

She and Barker Middle School volleyball coach Daisy Lee have done their part to re-energize the middle school programs.

At the moment, Ketcham coaches the eighth graders at Krueger. Ketcham graduated from Michigan City High School in 2005, and played volleyball for the school all four years.

“(Other MCAS coaches and I) want to start building the program back up to how it was when we were playing,” Ketcham said. “And, we’re just trying to work together, and we know middle school is where it all really begins.”

FRIGHT NIGHT

Posted on November 4, 2022November 4, 2022 by admin

KMS band and chorus team up for a Halloween performance

By Abby Killingbeck

Staff Writer

MICHIGAN CITY – Krueger’s band and chorus charmed their audience with a haunted performance.

The Krueger Middle School band and chorus put on a Halloween concert Thursday, Oct. 27, in the school cafeteria.

The performance was a part of Krueger’s Haunted Halls trick or treating event, which was open to the public. Around four hundred people showed up to see the band and chorus perform.

Longtime band teacher George Olson called the concert “a huge success.”

CAPTURING THE MAGIC

Posted on October 26, 2022November 16, 2022 by admin

“Wizard of Oz” holds up well after almost a century

By Seidet Segura

Staff Writer

This is the first installment of Movie Night with Batoul & Seidet, a monthly series in which Batoul Achy and Seidet Segura will collaborate on and taking turns writing classic movie reviews from a modern perspective.

“The Wizard of Oz” is a timeless classic. This movie has been passed down by generations for a great reason.

The film’s lovable characters, catchy songs and surprising developments still hold up to this day.

There are a few parts that don’t complement the story, but overall this movie definitely leaves the audience impressed and satisfied.

STANDING OVATION

Posted on September 20, 2022September 20, 2022 by admin

Krueger alum Savannah Holley tops competition at Hoosier Star

By Andrea Roberts and Seidet Segura

Staff writers

La PORTE – After seven years of auditioning, Savannah Holley competed and won at the 17th annual Hoosier Star singing competition.

Holley, a Krueger Middle School alum, won a $1,000 cash prize in the 17-and-under youth division on Saturday at the La Porte Civic Auditorium.

Holley, 17, had auditioned to be a Hoosier Star finalist six times before. This was her first time singing at the event. She was very excited to perform.

“It felt so euphoric,” she said. “I just felt so at home, so at ease.”

LEAN ON ME

Posted on June 2, 2022June 2, 2022 by admin

Krueger’s Samelson to retire after a brilliant career

By Jackie Ramirez and Jasmine Ford

Staff writers

MICHIGAN CITY – What a career it has been for Leslie Samelson.
Samelson is retiring after teaching science at Krueger Middle School for 29 years.
She has played many different roles in Michigan City, including coaching cross country, gymnastics and running the robotics club.
It’s all a part of her desire to use her talents to make the world a better place.
“The most rewarding thing in the world is to give up one’s stuff, because that’s the ultimate joy in giving someone a skill that they’ll use the rest of their life,” Samelson said. “Teaching them confidence that they can do things that they never thought they (could) do.”

RAISED BY WOLVES

Posted on June 1, 2022 by admin

Michigan City’s Walker raised by, gives back to hometown

By Brikiera Franklin

Staff Writer

MICHIGAN CITY – The common saying is that it takes a village to raise a child.
For Will Walker, that was definitely the case. Walker was raised by parents, teachers and coaches who taught him good values, especially the importance of education.
“My parents would say it took a community to raise me,” Walker said.