Lake County Schools and Community Come Together for Service, Support, and Holiday Spirit
The holiday season has brought out the best in Lake County Indiana communities, as local schools, businesses, and organizations unite to serve those in need while celebrating student achievements and fostering connections that strengthen the region's social fabric.
Students Lead Community Service Efforts
Lake County high schools are demonstrating that education extends far beyond the classroom through meaningful community service initiatives. At Andrean High School, more than 500 students from several Diocesan schools gathered at Franciscan Health Dyer for the 32nd annual Respect Life Prayer Service on October 10, as reported by GreatNews.Life.
"I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the message. It was very moving to see everyone who cared about the lives of these babies," shared Maddie Maronowski, a senior campus ministry member at Andrean.
The spirit of giving continued at Merrillville High School, where the varsity cheerleading team volunteered at the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, helping serve approximately 900 families. Cheerleader Malia McGhee reflected on the experience, noting how GreatNews.Life documented their efforts: "Volunteering at the Food Bank, I learned that we fed around 900 families. That's more than I'd ever expected."
McGhee emphasized that community service reveals the broader impact of small acts of kindness. "Something that I believe is special about giving back to the community is to see all the people you've helped in ways you may not realize and to understand the difference in everyone's situation," she explained.
Major Food Distribution Brings Relief to Families
Beyond student-led initiatives, professional organizations stepped up to address food insecurity in the region. Lerner & Rowe Injury Attorneys distributed 750 free Thanksgiving meals at the Dean and Barbara White Community Center in Merrillville, according to GreatNews.Life.
The comprehensive meal packages included mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, corn, green beans, and $25 gift cards to Strack & Van Til grocery stores. The event addressed pressing community needs, particularly relevant given current economic challenges.
"It's good to give back during this time, mostly because with the government shutdown a lot of people are losing their jobs right now," explained Alexis Garcia, Community Relations Specialist at Northshore Health Centers. "It's better to give back and let people know there's support for them."
Glen Lerner, owner of Lerner & Rowe, emphasized the national scope of their commitment. "Every year we feed between 6,000-7,000 families and hand out all these meal bags," Lerner stated. "Just how wonderful it is to be able to not only feed the people at my own table this year, but another 7,000 families?"
The event connected families with long-term resources through partnerships with St. Jude House, North Shore Health Centers, and Meals on Wheels. Arianna Hensley, Lerner & Rowe Outreach Director for Indiana and Illinois, stressed the importance of these connections: "We understand that this giveaway is only a small solution to a bigger puzzle of issues that these people are facing."
Student Athletes Excel On and Off the Field
Lake County schools are celebrating remarkable athletic achievements alongside their service commitments. The Merrillville High School football team secured an impressive winning streak, defeating Hammond Morton High School 28-7, earning a sectional victory over Munster High School 44-14, and claiming a regional win against Michigan City High School 34-14, as reported by GreatNews.Life.
Senior wide receiver Darnell Bowles reflected on his final season: "My senior season is kind of crazy, because I remember when I was just a freshman looking up to the seniors playing their hearts out with a bond you could never forget."
Bowles highlighted the team's strong chemistry as a driving force behind their success. "What I feel keeps the team motivated throughout the season is our team chemistry, we strive to push ourselves and make each other better day by day, through good or bad practices," he noted.
At Andrean High School, senior point guard Lailoni Staten leads the Lady Niners basketball team as the only senior on the roster. Her leadership proved crucial in their season opener against rivals Merrillville Pirates, securing a thrilling 45-41 victory.
"Being the only senior on the basketball program means a lot to me," Staten remarked. "It shows my determination for the program and how I've gained a bunch of little sisters — something I've always wanted."
Creative Arts and Holiday Fundraising
Lake Central High School's Theatre Company recently captivated audiences with their innovative fall production "Trap," which attracted over 500 attendees from October 16-18, according to GreatNews.Life.
The production featured a unique mystery format where the actual plot remained secret until opening night. Senior Ivan Carey described the collaborative experience: "My favorite part of being a part of the play was getting to work with such cool people. We would stay after school for so long working on such a big project that it was a really neat experience."
Freshman Sophia Bennett highlighted the challenge of maintaining secrecy: "The biggest challenge regarding the play was definitely keeping the secret. There were so many days that I wanted to tell everybody, but I couldn't."
Looking ahead, Lake Central Student Council prepares for their annual Angel Tree Fundraiser throughout December. The initiative includes their signature Target Run, where nearly 20 volunteers will shop for toys using funds raised through semester-long chocolate sales.
"I personally enjoy buying for each age group. I tend to like buying board games and books," shared senior Tia Abughofah, student council social media officer. "It's also nice to see festive clothing and things for the holidays."
Educators Making a Difference
Behind these student successes are dedicated educators who inspire and guide young people. At Andrean High School, Campus Minister Gianna Niece creates environments where students grow in both faith and friendship. Her favorite service project involved visiting the VA Center in Crown Point, where students distributed treat bags containing donated snacks, thank-you notes, and handmade keychains to veterans.
"Creating new friendships and opportunities is what the Andrean community is all about," Niece explained, emphasizing how service trips help students form lasting bonds while serving others.
At Merrillville High School, Angela Escobedo serves as Career and Technical Education assistant principal, overseeing pathways that prepare students for college and careers. As an alumna of the school now in her eighth year with the district, Escobedo brings unique perspective to her role.
"What makes my job special is the ability to directly shape students' futures by connecting education to real-world opportunities," Escobedo noted. "Each day, I get to collaborate with teachers, business partners, and community organizations to create meaningful learning experiences."
Lake Central's Ashley Kline, Head of the Guidance Department, recently completed her fourth Chicago Marathon with a personal record of 4 hours and 55 minutes. Her running journey began during the COVID pandemic and has led to completing six marathons total.
"There's something so magical about the Chicago Marathon. The energy and the people cheering you on is amazing," Kline observed. "If you want to restore your faith in humanity, go spectate a marathon because it'll change your life."
Looking Forward
As the holiday season continues, Lake County communities demonstrate that the spirit of giving and achievement go hand in hand. From Andrean's upcoming "Lil' Niners Cheer Camp" on December 8, 10, and 11, to Lake Central's ongoing Angel Tree preparations, local schools continue creating opportunities for students to serve while developing their talents.
These initiatives reflect a broader community commitment to supporting one another through challenging times while celebrating the achievements that make Lake County a special place to live, learn, and grow together.
