Chesterton High School (CHS) is just days away from the last day of school. What does this mean for the seniors of 2025? The horrors of finals week? Panic about last-minute assignments? Students in a slump and all set for summer? Maybe, but for some, it is the final stretch, the home run, and the moment it all finally pays off. On May 12, 2025, countless CHS’s best seniors were credited for their accomplishments, which they gradually worked towards during all four years of their high school experience.
The ‘25 seniors are either breathing sighs of relief as the school year finally ends or getting a little teary-eyed as they say goodbye to their long-time friends and mentors. Either way, they are taking the time to celebrate their achievements and see how far they have come. Whether they’re student in the music program who could barely play “Mary Had a Little Lamb” at the beginning of the year, or a student who had no idea where they wanted to go from middle school on, these students have dedicated themselves to a path or passion and deserve the heartfelt words of the people who have watched them the whole way (and maybe a cool shiny plaque or paper with their name on it).
CHS’s Senior Honors Night was filled with touching speeches that reminisced on their accomplishments in many categories. There were awards given to a student from each education department, such as English, science, and art, which were handpicked by the supervisors of each department. There were also military cords given out for students enlisting in the military after high school. IB stoles were given to students who completed the IB pathway. Some students earned Indiana College cords to signify their completion of the Indiana College Core pathway, which will take them to college with their first year of credits completed. There were also some art, business, and FAC awards given out. Many students were announced to receive scholarships for their year following graduation.
One highlight of the night included the $200,000 pre-med, University of Michigan scholarship awarded to Nicholas Carpentier from the ROTC Navy. Other highlights include Alaina Welsh McGrogan and Carmen Thomas’s earning an outstanding number of scholarships. Welsh McGrogan’s scholarships totaled up to five, including: Vinay Suman Das Foundation Scholarship, Kappa, Kappa, Kappa Scholarship, Bailly Elementary PTO Scholarship, Chesterton High School Alumni Association Scholarship, and the Dr. Forchetti Family Chesterton High School Scholarship. Thomas’s scholarships totaled up to six, including: the Chesterton High School Alumni Association Scholarship, the Dirk Baer Scholarship, the Duneland United Churches Resale Scholarship, the Field Station Liz Scott Memorial Scholarship, the National Honor Society Scholarship, and the Dr. Forchetti Family Chesterton High School Scholarship.
While the students and families celebrated their honors, they were also reminded of the sad fact that they leave the school that they and their friends have been at for four long years. So while they celebrate their successes, they say goodbye to their last years of childhood.
