River Forest guiding freshmen path

River Forest High School freshman listen to a speech as part of their freshman mentoring program at the school.

River Forest guiding freshmen path

River Forest High School freshmen listen to a speech by former teacher Mark Flueckiger as part of their freshman mentoring program at the school.

Morgan Township freshman Kylee Maxwell

Morgan Township freshman Kylee Maxwell practices at Indiana Elite Gymnastics.

Morgan Township freshman gymnast Kylee Maxwell

Morgan Township freshman gymnast Kylee Maxwell began competing in the sport when she was in the second grade. She's a USAG Level 9 gymnast.

Morgan Township freshman Kylee Maxwell

Morgan Township freshman Kylee Maxwell had an all-around score of 38.1 in her first prep gymnastics meet.

Chesterton's Krause impresive from the start

Chesterton High School freshman swimmer Vanessa Krause swims laps during practice at the school on Wednesday.

Chesterton's Krause impresive from the start

Chesterton freshman swimmer Vanessa Krause poses for a portrait at the school on Wednesday.

YOUNG VOICES: Freshmen, take every moment as a lesson

Kindergartners can hardly sleep in anticipation of it. Middle-schoolers roll their eyes at the mention of it. But for high school freshmen, there is nothing in the universe that could be worse than the first day of school.

Eighth-graders invited to LHS open house

LOWELL | Lowell High School will host a Class of 2016 Open House from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday for

VU students called to start journey of service

Valparaiso University President Mark Heckler, center, applauds Tuesday as students and faculty members file into the Chapel of the Resurrection for the school's 82nd annual Opening Convocation.

VU students called to start journey of service

Faculty, staff members and students fill the Chapel of the Resurrection on Tuesday afternoon during Valparaiso University's convocation.

VU students called to start journey of service

Valparaiso University faculty members stand during the procession of students Tuesday afternoon as they walk from the Harre Union to the Chapel of the Resurrection for the 82nd annual Opening Convocation.

Program bridges entry to high school

Bridges student Ashley Goodenow, 15, jumps from the last board to safety Monday during a team-building exercise at the Challenge Ed course in Valparaiso.

Program bridges entry to high school

Bridges teacher Stephanie Nichols, right, observes as at-risk incoming Chesterton High School freshmen learn team building Monday at the Challenge Ed course in Valparaiso.

Program bridges entry to high school

Tyler Bailey, 14, lays the first board of a team-building exercise Monday with 15 other at-risk incoming freshman to Chesterton High School during a Bridges class at the Challenge Ed course in Valparaiso. The Bridges class helps eighth-graders who have at-risk tendencies prepare for a more d…