“A Complete Unknown,” a Bob Dylan biopic, struck the big screens on December 25th, 2024.

When I first heard of this film, I was instantly interested in learning more about Bob Dylan’s uprising, and I was especially intrigued to see how Timothee Chalemet portrayed Dylan. Over winter break, my social media platforms boomed with advertisements and opinions on “A Complete Unknown,” and I became immensely eager to get into the theater to experience it for myself. I personally have a wide music taste, and I really enjoy music from the ‘60s and ‘70s so Dylan has shuffled around my playlists from time to time, but I never fully immersed myself into his discography, especially because it's so large. 

As I walked into the theater, I was curious to see what the audience would look like. My best friend and I sat in between an older couple and a middle-aged couple who were incredibly attentive to the film, just as I was. All I could think about was how amazing it was that we were all sitting there to watch this movie, we all shared one common thing: love for music. It’s not often that the primary audience of a film showing is so diverse in age. 

The film begins with the start of Dylan's career and the connection he built with his role model, Woody Guthrie. As the story of Dylan's uprising unfolded, the audience was put into the shoes of a successful musician, the ups and downs, and navigating the fame. 

This film showed Dylan's “situatonship” with folk singer and activist Joan Baez (played by Monica Barbaro). While singing for good causes and writing music, Dylan and Baez had an intensive back-and-forth, difficult relationship. Their intense connection was captured beautifully as they inspired each other often and had difficulties getting along. The way Dylan (in this movie) acted toward the women in his life really washed away the whole appeal of loving a famous musician. 

The film also emphasized Dylan's relationship with Sylvie Russo, a character based on Suze Rotolo (played by Elle Fanning), Dylan’s first love interest when moving to New York. Sylvie was Dylan's girlfriend in the midst of his falling for “co-worker” Baez. Dylan cheated on Russo multiple times with Baez all the while using Russo as a muse for his music. 

Chalemet and the other actors spent five years preparing for their roles in “A Complete Unknown” with only three months to shoot. Chalemet was fully immersed into his role and it was very apparent in his performance on screen. 

Since watching “A Complete Unknown,” I have become a larger fan of both Bob Dylan and Joan Baez’s music and history. I will be seeing Bob Dylan in concert in April, and I could not be more excited. 

It is no doubt that Dylan made a significant contribution to the music industry and music production over the years. He is a Nobel Prize winner after all. Chalemet’s execution of his role and dedication were brilliant and refreshing. I haven't stopped thinking about this movie since I watched it, and experiencing it in theaters was amazing. I recommend anyone and everyone to watch this movie.

Pop princess Sabrina Carpenter released her sixth studio album, Short n’ Sweet, on August 23rd 2024. This album followed Emails I Can’t Send (2022), which was many people's reawakening to her talent after leaving Disney Chanel. The new album debuted at #1 on the Billboard Charts and has earned her six Grammy nominations. 

Short n’ Sweet is a pop/R&B album with each song having its own unique twist. If you're looking for an album with the perfect mix of heartbreak and upbeat, this is the one. 

My top favorite songs are: 

“Good Graces”- 

This song is upbeat compared to my other top four songs. Carpenter expresses her independent and confident personality. In this song, Carpenter explains that she wastes no time when it comes to bad relationships as she knows her worth and will act upon that. She explains that although she is sweet, she won’t be if someone does her wrong. 

“Dumb and Poetic”- 

Along with the rest of us, Carpenter has had her fair share of heartbreak. This song explains a boy who portrays himself as smart and charming but is terrible at relationships and hurtful to other's feelings regardless of the act he puts on from the perspective of the girl who loves him. Carpenter sings this song with a slow deep tone, which captivates the listener to not only relate to the lyrics but feel the emotion she's grappling with. 

“Don’t Smile”- 

This is arguably one of the saddest songs on this album. Carpenter expresses the theme of jealousy and heartbreak perfectly in this song with the use of a slow instrumental and her angelic voice. 

“Slim Pickins”- 

This song has an unexpected country twang to it that took the media by surprise, coming from the pop princess. The song perfectly captures the feeling of settling for below your standards because you can’t find anyone good enough to meet them. With her word choice, Carpenter fully expresses the feeling of not being able to find anyone to accompany you through life whether that's because no one matches up with you correctly or simply just because there isn't anyone interesting where you are. 

The top songs on the charts with this album were “Espresso,” “Please Please Please,” and “Taste.” “Espresso” was the first song to be released and quickly became a hit, especially across social media such as TikTok. Although “Espresso” is an amazing summer tune, it rapidly became Carptener’s “Anti-Hero” by Taylor Swift; overplayed.

Everywhere I would turn, “Espresso” would be blaring from someone's phone, car stereo, or grocery store speaker. I personally think that “Espresso” shouldn't have been released as early as it was, and I often skip it in annoyance now. “Please Please Please” was also overplayed but just the right amount to keep me listening even now. "Taste" was a heavily played song as well, but did not get as much praise as “Espresso”. All three of those songs were accompanied by music videos. “Please Please Please” features Barry Keoghan, Carpenter's current boyfriend, and “Taste” features Jenna Ortega, a widely known actress.  

The album's overall aesthetic and “vibe” are completely based around summer and I slightly wish the album would have been released a month or so earlier than it was so I could soak it all in before the end of summer approached. 

I was gifted this album on vinyl for my birthday and then gifted the CD for Christmas and I was incredibly excited both times to receive it. I find myself going back to this album often, and I am excited to see where Carpenter goes in the future with her growing fame and talent.

Mr. Turner’s Advanced Drawing classes are mastering the art of figure drawing to close the first semester. 

Turner has recruited other students to live model for his classes to help give his art students a real idea of perspective and proportion. 

“I thought it was fun, and it's nice to see everyone's drawings from different angles. The different models help the art students practice different things,” Dalian Anderson, senior volunteer model, said.

The art students are given a short time period to observe the model and draw them with as much detail as possible. Turner has challenged them with anywhere between two to 15 minutes. 

“Throughout history, the human figure has been considered by some to be the pinnacle of the artistic expression. I incredibly enjoy watching my students grow artistically through this lesson,” Turner said.

Students have advanced greatly through the past couple lessons and must turn in their three best drawings at the end of the unit. 

“I think it's a great experience to draw people in real life and gives you a sense of perspective,” senior Hannah Harnisch said.

From here its only more sunny skies ahead for Turner's classes. Their last unit of this semester will be landscapes.

The LPHS FFA Chapter is hosting a Fall Festival at the LPHS Lacrosse field on November 1st from 5-7 p.m.

It will cost a $5 entry fee and all the proceeds will go to hurricane relief. The hurricanes and tropical storms in 2024 have caused $30.5 billion and $47.5 billion in total wind and flood losses across 16 states. LPHS FFA wants to make an impact and help raise money for residents. They are donating the money to the National FFA Crisis Relief. 

“The La Porte FFA Chapter is very excited to host an event that will help those who are in need. We are hoping to have a good turnout of community members as we also love to extend our hand in community events. Please come out and have a great time for a great cause,” FFA advisor Amber Ernsperger said. 

There will be a pumpkin smash, where participants can bring in their old carved Halloween pumpkins and smash them for $1-5 a pumpkin. 

There will also be face painting ($1) and a corn pool for young kids. A corn pool is a kiddie pool filled with corn kernels and toys for little ones to play in like a sandbox but half the mess. There will also be a donut on a string contest.

There will be a hot chocolate bar ($2) and a bake sale with homemade treats such as cookies, brownies, and more (prices vary).  

There will be a cornhole game and craft station. There will be a picture station that will cost $1. 

“I am very excited that we are holding the fall festival, and I am glad to see so much effort from different clubs at the school coming together to put together this event,” LPHS junior FFA Historian Ella Spencer said.

On the surface, Slicer Network productions might seem flawless and easily produced, but behind the scenes of every Slicer Network broadcast, LPHS student broadcasters meticulously piece together and teardown their productions. 

The La Porte Slicer Network is a high school multimedia class at LPHS. They produce and stream sporting events, concerts, musicals, and local events in LaPorte County. 

The 4th hour Interactive Media class and Slicer Network team have an immense amount of hands-on learning experiences and opportunities. Broadcasting isn’t something that one could simply sit in a classroom and learn how to do. No amount of notes could fully grasp all aspects of each production. 

“They get to learn the entire process of live television production including producing, directing, writing, editing, acting, and post-production,” TV and Radio teacher Don Varda said. 

Slicer Network started their year with a high-energy broadcast at the first home football game against Lowell and ended football season with every home game broadcasted. The Slicer Network team of students is in charge of every step in the broadcast process to bring the event to fans. 

“My favorite part about Slicer Network is broadcasting the football games and telling the stories of LPHS,” senior Tayshaun Williams said.   

After the intricate set up and the camera is live, the work doesn't stop there. Each broadcast has its own unique issues ranging from weather to technical issues. With these difficulties, adaptivity is necessary to be able to put on the best productions to deliver the media to the public. 

There are two returning broadcasters, Aidan Ignatuk and Rylie Dilts. There are four new broadcasters this year, Tayshaun Williams, William Crum, Dakota Moss, and Evie Yeaney. 

“I’ve never been someone who was good at sports, but being in the action with my camera, is a feeling like nothing I’ve ever felt before in the best way possible, and LaPorte Slicer Network made that possible for me,” Ignatuk said. 

The Interactive Media classes and Slicer Network travel on many field trips through the school year to have hands-on experience in the field.

“We’ve been to Media Day at Notre Dame, and we’ve visited DePaul and Columbia University in Chicago. Students learned about production and what it looks like on a national level,” Varda said. 

Slicer Network has opened the eyes of LPHS students to the field of broadcasting, news, and communications overall for many years. 

Former Slicer Avery Walma is now attending Arizona State University majoring in sports journalism and has tentative plans to freelance sports productions after college. 

“Slicer Network helped me expand my knowledge and create more of a path as a sports broadcaster and production crew member. The two years before I got into ESPN, I got a really decent start and base knowledge of what goes into a TV production, and it allowed me to go into ESPN, excel well, and grow faster because of the experience. Overall it’s one of the spots that I started and grew, and you couldn’t really ask for a better place to do it,” Walma said.

To get involved with Slicer Network contact Don Varda via email at dvarda@lpcsc.k12.in.us or talk with a counselor on how to begin the Digital Design Pathway.

The LPHS FFA Chapter’s officers are zipping up their blue corduroy jackets and visiting Principles of Agriculture and Principles of Welding classes this week discussing all aspects of FFA and why students should join.

The officers all agreed that this would be a beneficial way to connect with students who aren’t sure what the National FFA Organization is and to advocate for the importance of agriculture among high school students.

“Talking to the Principles of Ag and Principles of Welding classes is both good for the chapter and community it shows what FFA is about and allows everyone to see how involved our club is in making the future leaders in the community,” president Lyla Bannwart said.

The presentation goes over what FFA is, official dress, community service, hands-on experience, ag literacy and ag advocacy, career exploration, leadership development events, career development events, travel opportunities, friendships, events, FFA week, meetings, summer supervised agriculture experiences, and how to join. Covering these topics, all students will know exactly what to expect as an FFA member. LPHS FFA wants to continue to expand its chapter every year. 

“Having our officers present to the underclassman is such an amazing opportunity. I love watching that FFA sparkle grow to each new class,” Advisor Amber Ernsperger said.

These presentations will be held today and tomorrow throughout the day as students have the Principles of Ag and Welding classes. 

To join FFA, contact or visit Mrs. Ernsperger in F.13 or any chapter officer.

President- Lyla Bannwart 

Vice President - Cassey Brault 

Secretary- Mia Medeiros

Treasurer- Rebecca Tuholski

Sentinel- Hayden Lambert 

Reporter- Evie Yeaney 

Historian- Ella Spencer

Parliamentarian- Paige Bannwart 

Chaplain- Luis Flores

Student Advisor- Abby Sims

The La Porte High School Agriculture Department has changed in a new direction for the 2024-2025 school year. 

In June, former Agriculture Department head Jessi Davenport resigned left her position at LPHS; however, Davenport didn't settle far from her passion, as she now works for the Purdue Extension Office. Amber Ernsperger, formally Paquette, has taken over Davenport's formal responsibilities and classroom. Ernsperger is now responsible for the Ag Mechanic and Animal Science classes. 

“I am so excited to be teaching the Ag Mech pathway. Although I never saw myself teaching anything like this, I am so excited for the new adventure. I am also super excited to continue with the animal science pathway as that is the one I really worked with in college,” Ernsperger said. 

With this change, there are new faces and a few questions. Despite common belief, the welding pathway taught by new teacher Raymond Goss is not part of the agriculture department. Although they both fall under the CTE umbrella, welding is a different Department. They are currently working on building a shop at the ESC which will bring new opportunities for students. Goss teaches all of the welding technology classes.

 “So far it has been a great start to the year from working with the staff to interacting with the students,” Goss said. 

Kaitlyn Parsons has moved into Ernsperger’s old classroom and now teaches Natural Resources, Forestry, and Principles of Agriculture. Switching rooms has brought new opportunities for her students. 

“I was able to move into a bigger room that doesn't have carpet. This means we will be able to do labs and activities that we couldn’t before due to the mess factor, which I am very much looking forward to,” Parson said.  

Former dance teacher Jessica Tenbusch is now teaching a few of the Principles of Agriculture classes. This new change has been a challenge for Tenbusch, but she is persevering. 

Ernsperger is the sole advisor for FFA. According to the National FFA Organization website, FFA is a national organization that provides leadership opportunities, strengthens skills, builds confidence, and overall changes lives. LPHS FFA’s first meeting was August 28th. This year they are hosting a soil competition, attending contests, participating in district events, and so much more.

“The Ag department is happy to be working together on growing and moving in the right directions,” Ernsperger said. 1