Cathedral High School sure does have some cool stuff goin' on! First, I headed over to the baseball field to check out the intramural girls kickball team. After they made sure I was in appropriate attire (Cathedral tie-dye t-shirt), we split up into teams and played ball! The girls were so animated and excited...I had a blast (even though both times I kicked the ball, I scored nothing but a big ole' OUT!)
After saying my goodbyes, I took a tour of Cathedrals new Black Box Theatre, Scene Shop and Costume Shop. WOW! These kids are going to be able to put on some amazing shows with this new facility. I sat and watched them rehearse for their upcoming play, "Our Town" and pulled a few students aside to ask what they thought was so cool about their new building. Everyone agreed that the talent has always been there, but now the theatre students have a chance to grow even more...lucky kids!
Students at Cathedral are required to have 100 service hours to graduate...100 HOURS!!! My jaw dropped. How is that cool? After seeing the students at the Habitat for Humanity build, I realized generosity and compassion cannot be learned from a book...these students took pride in giving to others. It was truly a phenomenal experience. NOW THAT'S COOL!

Danville High School was SOOOO COOOL! I started the day with the students in the Best Buddies program. The life skills students were in the middle of painting a banner for the Homecoming parade, so I joined them! Their "best buddies" were assisting them, so I pulled a few students aside and asked them what they thought of the "best buddy." The answers were AMAZING! Each student learns so much from the other...no physical or mental handicap could stand in the way of these friendships. They were unselfish, wholehearted and inspiring! Such great kids!
Next, I headed over to Mrs. Graham's art class where she'd put together a unique program called, "Art Survivor." Her students are on teams that compete against each other for prizes. When I spoke to a few students, one of them said, "Before I knew it, I was enjoying art!" The students were learning without even knowing it and they were not shy in singing praises for their teacher. The talent in this class far surpassed anything I've ever seen!
Mr. Hugey's landscape management class was last on my COOL list of things to see at Danville High School. I soon realized that these students landscaped the ground of the school THEMSELVES! How cool is that?!?! They took pride in growing the plants themselves and knowing how to take care of them. Their passion and knowledge showed as they walked me through how to prune a potted plant and cut down a tree. I sure did learn a lot!!

Visiting Brebeuf was quite an experience in itself! From the moment I walked through the front doors, I felt like I was back in college. The first "cool" thing I spoke to students about was their personal responsibility time or PRT. Each student has, on average, 1.5 hours to do WHATEVER THEY WANT! If they want to get help from a teacher, they can. If they want to eat lunch, they can. If they want to socialize, they can. If they want to play intramural sports, they can. Seniors can even leave school property during this time! Oh how I wish I had that option in high school!
Taking advantage of MY PRT time, I headed outside where the Conservation club was pulling weeds and laying down mulch. This club is one of the largest and most active groups at Brebeuf! Two years ago they started paper recycling and the members of the Conservation Club empty all the bins around the school weekly. They've also planted and mulched at Binford Blvd. as well as other areas around Indianapolis. They said it makes them feel like they're making a difference in this world...and they sure are!!
I moved back inside to meet with the Asian club who promote racial diversity and educate students and the community on Asian cultures. The classroom where we met was PACKED with students! (Obviously, they came to enjoy the festivities surrounding the Asian club too.) We ate pokora while watching students performed an Asian dance...it was GREAT! They host a big Asian festival in the spring, which I definitely will be coming back for. Amazing time - amazing students - amazing school!

When we first pulled up to Warren Central, I thought we had entered another town - this place is HUUUUUGE! I think I'd get lost each day going to class. However, after spending a few minutes inside, I felt right at home. The people and students were warm and welcoming.
The first thing I did was sit in on their NEW Biomedical Studies class, where the students were busy solving a "mock" cold case involving a dead woman. They had autopsy information and needed to find out how she died...was it murder, natural causes? How fascinating! The students enjoyed the class because it was all research and project based. NO TEXTBOOK NEEDED! Um, where do I sign up?
Next, we walked to the Walker Career Center to feature the student-run restaurant. These students learn food production, server training, and restaurant management skills. Right out of high school, they will have a Pro Start certificate and can begin work in the Food Industry! WOW! I had a blast cooking and plating food with the students and even got a lesson in knife skills! I had lunch at the restaurant and highly recommend the chicken fingers dipped in their homemade honey mustard sauce. I left full and happy.
Moving along to the Walker Career Center's salon and spa where the cosmetology students were busy doing hair, nails, and facials. These students have to complete 1500 hours of theory and hands-on skills, and then they take a test to become a licensed cosmetologist! Guaranteed success...I LOVE IT!

At Lawrence Central, I spent more time in Mr. Phillipy's advanced English class than I had at any other school! I actually sat down and joined his class for a period...the kids sure did respond to his way of teaching! It was no surprise to me that one of the "cool" things at Lawrence Central was his project called, "Meeting Of Minds." Students choose a historical figure, learn everything about them from the way they dress to the way they thought, and act out a "scene" with other historical figures. For example, you could have students playing Martha Stewart, Genghis Khan, Guglielmo Marconi and Harriet Tubman sitting at a table chatting...in character. I can’t imagine what that conversation would sound like!
After Mr. Phillipy's class, I visited Central Sound, Lawrence Central's show choir. I tried my hand at a few moves, but these kids were TOO GOOD for me! They sounded great and looked great. I honestly can still hear the song in my head that they were singing: "That's where the music takes me. Takes me to a brighter day. That's where the music takes me. Helping me to find my way!"
After sweating my way through Show Choir, I headed to LC Perk to chill out. This is a fun alternative to study hall. Juniors and seniors with a GPA of 2.0 or higher can come to the Perk for a cup of coffee or to enjoy one of their famous cinnamon roles. I sat down with a group that was working on their math homework and had a few laughs with them.
Such a great visit! Thanks LC!

Brownsburg High School was much bigger than I expected it to be and from the looks of the construction out front, there's a big expansion project in the works! I headed straight into the TV broadcasting classroom/ studio and watched two students read the daily announcements. The set looked oddly familiar...where had I seen it before? One of the students brought a Fox59 banner out from behind the door and told me that it was our old set from the studio on Meridian! Fox59 donated the old set to BHS. How cool is that?! The students proceeded to tell me about their cable television station called, "Extended play." Unfortunately, that studio is located in a different building, so I wasn't able to see it. I learned that Extended Play crewmembers study and apply all aspects of broadcasting to help prepare them for careers in the telecommunications field. Most of the content we see on BCSC-TV (Comcast 28, Brighthouse 98) is produced by Extended Play!
I moved on to meet the contestants of the Mr. Bulldog pageant. I can't believe they actually have a MALE PAGEANT SHOW!? These guys were hilarious. I watched them practice their opening dance for the show and cracked up! The students told me that this pageant is a fundraiser for the prom and it sells out every year. (They must have amazing proms here!) I wished them the best of luck and moved on to the Art Club. They were having a facility vs. student pumpkin carving contest, so I joined in...Although I've never been good at drawing, creative, art-type stuff. The students in Art Club told me that I didn't have to be good at art to join. It's all about expressing you. I expressed myself by getting into a pumpkin pulp-throwing contest with two other girls! (Nothing that a little soap and water can't get out.) The Art Club was also responsible for painting the tunnel leading to the front door. Since the school is under construction, they have a tunnel that leads from the parking lot to the school...the students are working on making this a colorful, inviting walkway for visitors.
I left with Angela Ganote's senior picture in hand. Be sure to check that out on the video!

I was completely awestruck by Park Tudor's beautiful campus. Some of the leaves were beginning to change colors...it was indescribable! I felt like I was on a small college campus. After meeting with the Head of School, Mr. Jennings, I went to meet with the Jazz Combo. They performed a few songs for us and WOW was I impressed. Their sound was so mature - upbeat, yet soulful. These guys have their own CD and even get to perform in local festivals and at the Jazz Kitchen! To this day, I still listen to the CD they gave me at my desk at work.
I headed to meet the students involved in the Legacy Initiative program next. They were busy looking through old letters, diaries, and photographs of war veterans. The Legacy Initiative Project's mission is to publish these stories that would otherwise remain untold. This way, future generations will be able to learn about those who served, both here and abroad. You can buy their last book entitled, "Wartime Memories from America and Abroad." I can't believe how much these high schoolers have accomplished!
Lastly, I went to meet Gracie, Park Tudor's "mascot." She's a GIANT yellow lab with a constant smile on her face. The staff told me that she was training to be a service dog, but didn't pass the tests, so Mrs. Grinkmeyer (Upper School Counselor) kept her. Gracie even has her picture in the yearbook! The kids love to pet and feed her…as you can see by her “full” figure. Students also told me that if someone is upset, Gracie doesn't leave their side. Now that's pretty cool!