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Tyler Smaga talks about the ABCs of high school life Friday during commencement at Valparaiso High School. “Z is for zippity-do-dah, we’re done,” he said.

Twins serve as guest speakers at Valparaiso High School commencement ceremonies

Valparaiso High School graduates sit during commencement Friday.

Leon's Triathlon

Competitors emerge from the swim portion of Leon's Triathlon on Sunday morning in Hammond.

Colin Riley

Colin Riley of Cincinnati was the overall male winner of Leon's Triathlon.

Kirsten Sass

Kirsten Sass, representing Tennessee in the Best of the US Class crosses first overall during the Leon's Triathlon, Sunday morning, June 2nd, 2013 in Hammond, Indiana.

Cown Point's Bobby Morgan

Cown Point's Bobby Morgan looks to tag Portage's Anthony Samano on Wednesday.

Portage's Kevin Jones

Portage's Kevin Jones pitches Wednesday in the LaPorte sectional.

Portage's Peter Psomadelis

Portage's Peter Psomadelis tags third as Crown Point's Zach Plesac goes for the out Wednesday.

Valparaiso's Emily Catlin

Valparaiso's Emily Catlin competes in the 400 meters at Tuesday's Chesterton Sectional.

Chesterton's Jordan Kincy

Chesterton's Jordan Kincy won the 100 and 400 meters Tuesday at the Chesterton Sectional.

Anna Walls, Valparaiso

Valpo's Anna Walls, right, and LaPorte's Jenice O'Neal finished first and second, respectively in the 200 meters at Tuesday's Chesterton Sectional.

Chesterton's Kaitlin Loehmer was sixth in the long jump

Chesterton's Kaitlin Loehmer was sixth in the long jump at Tuesday's Chesterton Sectional.

Portage's Mackenzie Barcelli was second in the pole vault

Portage's Mackenzie Barcelli was second in the pole vault (9-6) at Tuesday's Chesterton Sectional.

Valparaiso's Kassidy Swenson

Valparaiso's Kassidy Swenson won both the 100- and 300-meter hurdles, setting a meet record in the latter, at Tuesday's Chesterton Sectional.

Victoria Ostrander, Portage

Portage's Victoria Ostrander helped her team win the 400-meter relay at Tuesday's Chesterton Sectional.

Kyle Buikema, Griffith baseball

Griffith's catcher Kyle Buikema lays down a bunt during the 11th annual High School Challenge Saturday at the U.S. Steel Yard in Gary.

Mike Crowley, Chesterton baseball

Chesterton's Mike Crowley slides into second as Griffith's Tyler Sufana goes to apply the tag during the 11th annual High School Challenge Saturday afternoon at the U.S. Steel Yard in Gary.

Chance Lawson, Chesterton baseball

Chance Lawson, Chesterton's catcher grab the bunt and throws to first during the 11th annual High School Challenge Saturday at the U.S. Steel Yard in Gary.

Kyle Buikema, Griffith baseball

Griffith's catcher Kyle Buikema is a junior known more for his defense as a backstop than his hitting. He's a singles and bunt hitter, shown here, with a mid-.300s batting average.

Mitch Kobitz, Chesterton baseball

Chesterton starting pitcher Mitch Kobitz hurls towards the plate during the 11th annual High School Challenge Saturday afternoon at the U.S. Steel Yard in Gary. The Trojans beat the Panthers behind Kobitz's strong outing.

Josh Terzarial, Griffith baseball

Griffith starting pitcher Josh Terzarial throws during the 11th annual High School Challenge Saturday afternoon at the U.S. Steel Yard in Gary.

Jesse Smith, Griffith baseball

Griffiths Jesse Smith goes for the catch early in the game during the 11th annual High School Challenge Saturday afternoon, April 20th, 2013 at the U.S. Steel Yard in Gary, Indiana.

Corey Rusboldt, Chesterton baseball

Corey Rusboldt of Chesterton throws to first during the 11th annual High School Challenge Saturday afternoon at the U.S. Steel Yard in Gary.

Valpo's Joe Otis

Valparaiso coach Joe Otis reacts to the end of the game in 2011 when his Vikings boys basketball team won the Michigan City Sectional. This week the legendary boys basketball coach decided to take over Valpo's girls basketball program.

South Central track Taylor Johnson

South Central's Taylor Johnson, left, was a regional qualifier last season in the 100 hurdles and long jump. She was Porter County Conference champion in both events, and is the school record holder in the 100 hurdles.

Stars of Valpo pitch in for radio station's fundraiser

Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas performs a James Taylor song during the Stars of Valpo fundraiser Sunday for radio station WVLP at Valparaiso University's Center for the Arts.

Stars of Valpo pitch in for radio station's fundraiser

Samantha Lawson traveled from Purdue University, West Lafayette to volunteer her time at Sunday's Stars of Valpo fundraiser for radio station WVLP at Valparaiso University's Center for the Arts. The event helps support the community-oriented radio station.

Kids hunt for Easter eggs at Porter park

Avary Robinson, 6, of Chesterton, gathers eggs during the Easter egg hunt Saturday at Hawthorn Park in Porter.

Kids hunt for Easter eggs at Porter park

Kids take off at the start of the Easter egg hunt Saturday at Hawthorn Park in Porter.

Common Sense Patriots rally draws Second Amendment supporters to Valpo

Russell Edwards, of Schererville, displays his feelings about the Second Amendment on Saturday outside the Porter County Courthouse in Valparaiso. The rally was organized by a newly formed group called Common Sense Patriots.

Common Sense Patriots rally draws Second Amendment supporters to Valpo

A Second Amendment supporter, who declined to give his name, holds what a speaker called "hunting rifles" Saturday outside the Porter County Courthouse in Valparaiso.

Common Sense Patriots rally draws Second Amendment supporters to Valpo

Radio personality Casey Hendrickson speaks about the Second Amendment to a group of onlookers Saturday outside the Porter County Courthouse in Valparaiso.

Valparaiso senior Ryan Broekhoff shoots the last-second 3-pointer to win the game 70-69 during Saturday's Horizon League Tournament semifinals.

Valparaiso's Lavonte Dority drives the lane

Valparaiso's Lavonte Dority drives the lane during Saturday's semifinals of the Horizon League Tournament.

Valparaiso's Kevin Van Wijk drives the lane

Valparaiso's Kevin Van Wijk drives the lane during Saturday night's semifinal of the Horizon League Tournament.

Valparaiso's Erik Buggs, left, and Green Bay's Carrington Love fight for possession

Valparaiso's Erik Buggs, left, and Green Bay's Carrington Love fight for possession of the basketball during Saturday's night semifinals of the Horizon League Tournament.

Valparaiso's Bobby Capobianco looks for the outlet pass during Saturday night's semifinals of the Horizon League Tournament.

Valparaiso's Kevin Van Wijk drives for a layup in Saturday night's semifinals of the Horizon League Tournament.

Valparaiso's Matt Kenney drives for layup

Valparaiso's Matt Kenney drives for layup during Saturday's semifinals of the Horizon League Tournament.

Valparaiso's Erik Buggs drives for a layup

Valparaiso's Erik Buggs drives for a layup during Saturday night's semifinals of the Horizon League Tournament.

Valparaiso's Quentin Palmer goes up for a layup against Merrillville's Zoran Talley on Saturday.

Merrillville's Brian Jenkins drives against Valparaiso during Saturday night's Class 4A Michigan City Sectional championship.

Merrillville's Jalen Wilbert drives against Valparaiso on Saturday night.

Valparaiso's Quentin Palmer drives against Merrillville's Brian Jenkins on Saturday.

Merrillville's Jacob Raspopovich shoots over Valparaiso's defense Saturday night.

during the Sectional championship game at Michigan City High School, Saturday March 2nd,2013.

030213twq02DACSECCHAMP3 Thomas Quinn / The Times Michigan City - Valparaiso's Quentin Palmer goes for the layup against Merrillville's Jelani Pruitt during the Sectional championship game at Michigan City High School, Saturday March 2nd,2013.

during the Sectional championship game at Michigan City High School, Saturday March 2nd,2013.

030213twq02DACSECCHAMP4 Thomas Quinn / The Times Michigan City - Valparaiso's Zach Meyer goes up against Merrillville's Jacob Raspopovich during the Sectional championship game at Michigan City High School, Saturday March 2nd,2013.

during the Sectional championship game at Michigan City High School, Saturday March 2nd,2013.

030213twq02DACSECCHAMP8 Thomas Quinn / The Times Michigan City - Merrillville's Isaiah Wilson goes up strong against Valparaiso's John Mosser during the Sectional championship game at Michigan City High School, Saturday March 2nd,2013.

Michael Schlotman, Munster

Two years ago Munster point guard Michael Schlotman was much thinner and shorter. Even without the coming growth spurt Schlotman led the Mustangs to an undefeated season and No. 1 ranking in the state, just like this year. Above, Schlotman drains a 3-pointer against Valparaiso at the regional.