2022-23 High School Confidential, Week 31
May 4—***
This mark the final installment of Year 7 of High School Confidential, powered by Danville Area Community College. It's an award-winning project made possible by aspiring student journalists from every corner of our circulation area.
Feedback? Email N-G/VP Jim Rossow at jrossow@news-gazette.com.
On to this week's report:
Academy High
Last weekend's prom at the I Hotel and Conference Center was a fun night full of food, pictures and dancing.
— Rosie Atkinson
ALAH
The senior class has made its way to Washington D.C., making countless memories and experiences. Students visited the Udvar-Hazy Center, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Ford's Theater, the Capitol, Washington Monument and many more spots. The trip, students said, brought them closer together and even though they go back to the hotel worn out and tired.
Arcola
Thirteen members of Arcola's chapter of National Art Honor Society attended the Love for the Arts conference at Eastern Illinois University on Friday. The day consisted of a variety of art workshops taught by EIU's Art Education students. The day also saw five Arcola students earn ribbons for art they had submitted earlier that morning. Senior Cecilia Hardin (pictured) won both Student Choice and second place in "advanced painting" for her oil painting entitled "Luxury." Hardin also won Teacher Choice for her sculpture, "Semi-sweet." Pictured, left to right: (back row) Bianca Arguelles, Alex Gutierrez, Morgan Doud, Vicente Medina, Hailey Trotter, Karina Warfel, Reynol Oyervides, Mark Vazquez, art teacher and NAHS sponsor Alex Lugo; (front row) Aaliyah Garza, Rachel Sigrist, Sam Montano, Cecilia Hardin and Kaylee McKinney.
— Karina Warfel
Armstrong
Prom saw Seth Johnson and Gigi Mulvaney crowned king and queen and gave students the opportunity to go to the City Museum in St. Louis for post-prom put on by SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions).
— Gigi Mulvaney
Bement
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America students took their end-of-the-year trip to the University of Illinois for a tour of Hendrick Hall and to learn about greenhouse technology. Afterward, they had fun at CU Adventures' escape room where they separated into three groups for each room. Every group made it out.
— Emily Parrish
BHRA
A select group of students attended a Cubs game at Wrigley Field. This trip is exclusive to Blue Devil Pride card holders, an awards system for students on the honor roll, with the seniors getting the first pick. The group was able to end the day on an exciting note with a Cubs win. Thank you to the chaperones Anna Shower, James Hasty, Jennifer Guminski and Kelly Meeker, as well as to Tammy Duncan, who drove a bus packed with over 40 students to Chicago and through its never-ending traffic.
— Cody Drake
Blue Ridge
Kayla Cole was second in state at the USA Skills Competition in Baking and Pastry Arts (photo courtesy Tina Ogden Cole).
— Cadin Dozier
Centennial
Saturday's prom was lots of fun as Jodi Domingo and Daniel Lacy were crowned queen and king.
— Elena Reifsteck
Cerro Gordo
Last Thursday, the eighth-grade class was taken on a field trip to see the Cubs beat the Padres 5-2 at Wrigley Field. On Friday and Saturday, students brought "Bugsy Malone" to the stage for their spring musical.
— Hannah Copeland
Champaign Central
Last Thursday, the Visual Arts Department held its 6th annual student art exhibition featuring artwork from Central students along with pieces from K-8 students. The library housed "Senior Spotlight" displays, where selected seniors could showcase their best work. Visitors could purchase handmade jewelry and keychains to help support the department. Pictured:
— Award-winning oil painting by Maddy Orlie-Frost
— Digital piece by Julia Wishall
— Mixed media piece by Deanna Kaushik
— Graphite drawing by Kennedy Ramshaw
— Anahi Villa-Cambron's Senior Spotlight Display
— Gen Martin's (pictured in the red shirt) Senior Spotlight Display featuring a table selling handmade beaded earrings and keychains
— Brianna Freeburg's Senior Spotlight Display
— Emma Fahnestock's Senior Spotlight Display
— Robin Fitzgerald's Senior Spotlight Display
— Ceramic piece by Isa Hernadez
— Acrylic painting by Paige Deering
— Janani Pattabi
Chrisman
The annual senior trip took students to Orlando, Fla., where they visited Aquatica, Universal Studios for Grad Bash, Capones, Busch Gardens and Disney Springs.
— Reese Anderson
Danville
Last weekend's Fine Arts Showcase featured artwork and musical talents from students in grades K-12. Over 20 groups of students performed on the Dick Van Dyke Auditorium stage. The evening ended with a special alumni performance that celebrated the life of Larry Voorhees, former Danville High School choral director.
— Josie Hotsinpiller
Fisher
Students in Spanish 4 class took a field trip to the Bloomington Zoo after finishing one of their final semester chapters.
— Emma McFarling
Georgetown-Ridge Farm
At prom, J'Lynn Waltz and Anthony Harvey were crowned queen and king and queen. Pictured, left to right: (top) seniors Bryleigh Collom, Cecilia Boyd, Izabella Wills, Coleton Cobble, Logan Hummel and Joey Williams; (bottom) junior prom princess Mykah Abernathy, junior Rylan Mosier, Waltz and Harvey.
— Isabella Wills
Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley
As the Class of 2023 embarks on their last moments of high school, preparations continue for a senior trip, graduation services, final concerts and senior nights.
— Katie Steidinger
Heritage
Last Thursday, National Honor Society had an induction ceremony for 12 new members: Senior Brynna Wyant; juniors Aiden Ashbrook and Mary Roland; and sophomores Gracie Tate, Madisyn Wilson, Bailie Lubben, Addison Wiseman, Olivia Wallace, Loran Tate, Alex Tateman, Hunter Montgomery and Kaston White.
— Katelyn Learned
Hoopeston Area
National Honor Society held its annual ceremony to induct new members as well as recognize returning members. President Emma Rayls, Vice President Alexa Bailey, Secretary Tobi West and speaker Meghan Simpson led the ceremony with speeches alongside guest speaker Lauren Linares.
— Emma Rayls
Iroquois West
At FFA's final banquet for the school year, past officers were awarded and new members were inducted. For the 2023-2024 year: Aubrey Wagner is president, Beau Howe vice president, Garret Tammen reporter, Jake Kocher secretary, Chloe Wagner treasurer, Reka Ritzma sentinel, Tatum Willms chaplin and Owen Pree historian. Ben Schleef and Cort Leonard were also elected as co-chairs of alumni relations.
— Calli Kraft
Judah Christian
The school's "Old Hollywood"-themed prom took place at the Orpheum Theatre on Saturday. The night started with a paparazzi hour, specifically for photos, and winded down with crowning king and queen, Owen Jones and Claudia Bautista.
— Bethany Jackson
LeRoy
At Saturday's fun-filled prom at the Chateau, students were recognized with their dates at the Grand March. Court was honored with the announcement of king and queen, Maddux Marcum and Fiona Campbell. The court, left to right: Elle Leesman, Kailey Hubble, Lily Beer, Lily Monigold, Fiona Campbell, Maddux Marcum, Jack Edmundson, Nate Wells, Luke Griffin and Logan Stengel.
— Lily Monigold
Mahomet-Seymour
The annual Seal of Bi-literacy, Commendation toward the Seal of Bi-Literacy, Spanish and French National Honor Society, and National Honor Society induction ceremony were celebrated last week. In order to get the Seal of Bi-Literacy, students had to take the STAMP test in February. They had to test their reading, writing, listening and speaking skills in another language besides English. If they tested in the intermediate high range, they received the Seal of Bi-Literacy. Students received the Seal in Spanish and English, French and English, Russian and English, and Mandarin and English. This ceremony also highlighted the students who got the commendation towards the Seal, which is a big step toward receiving the Seal. Lastly, the ceremony also included the induction into National Honor Society, as many students got to walk across stage and receive a certificate. Pictured: Lauren Burr, Lauren Bednar, Seal Of Bi-Literacy Recipients, Rachael Corson and Owen Mahannah.
— Madelyn Grindley
Milford
Community members and the high schooled teamed up to host a career fair on April 21. Students had the opportunity to hear teachers, nurses, law enforcement, cosmetologists, therapists and ag salesmen talk about their careers. Students were then entered in a raffle for gift cards for asking questions.
— Maddie Hardwick
Oakwood
It was a busy and exciting week for students: Project Success went to Scovill Zoo; student council finished up its food drive; track prepped for conference at Watseka; baseball started 8-0 in conference; band and choir took part in the fine arts show as Cece Liggett and Hana Della Sala performed solos and art students receiving many ribbons; and the Scholastic Bowl team traveled to Chicago for the NAQT national tournament for small schools. Oakwood was 21st overall and 10th for the super small schools. Brody Blew was 56th overall for number of tossups correct during the tournament.
— Kalie Tison
Paxton-Buckley-Loda
Trixie Johnson and Kayden Snelling were named PBL's Illini Prairie Central scholar athletes, celebrating with other honorees.
— Kate Wilson
St. Joseph-Ogden
At last Friday's blood drive, students donated 24 units of whole blood, enough to positively affect the lives of up to 72 people. Pictured: Rachel Harris, Emily Elsbernd and Johanna Schmitz.
— Alyssa Acton
St. Thomas More
At Friday's annual Family Field Day Competition, all four families — St. Peter, St. Kateri Tekawitha, St. Michael the Archangel and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (SEAS) — went head to head in outdoor games that included tug-o-war, ultimate frisbee, kickball, a blindfolded minefield and a relay race. St. Peter, the reigning Saber Family Cup champion, was in the house point lead with 53 points, followed closely by St. Kateri with 50, St. Michael 27 and SEAS 19. After a victory in Field Day, St. Kateri surpassed St. Peter in points to take the Saber Family Cup. When asked about St. Kateri's performance , senior leader Dane Taylor said, "I was impressed with everybody's competitiveness and drive to win Field Day. I knew it would take a team effort and I'm really proud of my family."
— Jose Andino Guerra
Salt Fork
The prom theme was "At Last We See the Light" from Tangled. The prince and princess were Blaine Daly and Hunter Lyons. Prom king and queen were Kailey Frischkorn and Gabe Benjamin.
— Macie Russell
Schlarman
Seniors Ella Dixon, Madison Watson, Karlee Belton and Lilli Perez go to the south campus every morning for their introduction to education class, where they student-teach and they learn about what it takes to be a good teacher.
— Lilli Perez
Shiloh
The English II class won a trip to the Twisted Piston Cafe in Hume. In December, the class raised the most items for the food basket project hosted by student council and FFA. The advisor of the council, Dorene Boland, is the English teacher. Every year, she treats the winning class to meals at the restaurant. This year, high school principal Amy Jones went with the group. The class would like to thank Dorene Boland for her generosity.
— Lydia Richardson
Tuscola
High schoolers enjoyed a slow dance at Saturday's prom at Holiday Inn in Champaign.
— Grant Kauffman
Uni High
Last Thursday was senior class skip day. Officers organized for the class to go to Elevate, where seniors enjoyed jumping around and battling each other on the balance beam. Some didn't go to trampolining, instead choosing to have their own adventures — two seniors even traveled to Indianapolis. All the seniors enjoyed the day off from normal school and had fun.
— Wes Lu
Unity
Drama Club performed its spring musical last Thursday, Friday and Saturday. "Mamma Mia!" allowed students to showcase their singing, dancing and acting skills to the delight of the community.
— Jolie Meyer
Urbana
Journalism hosted its annual blood drive as many students showed up with a smile to help others. Pictured: Gwenyth Schiff, Juan Rodriguez and Lillian Kacich-Schaub.
— Jennifer Arriaga-Lopez
Villa Grove
With April being Autism Awareness Month, the softball team had a game dedicated to kindergartner Easton Lewis. The team made shirts with Easton's name on the back and puzzle pieces on the front. Between each inning, Lila Bessent would read a fact about autism. Easton, accompanied by Ryan Block, had the honor of throwing out the first pitch of the game. The Blue Devils gave it all they had and walked away with a win against Cerro Gordo for Easton.
— Emma Bratten-Noice
Westville
Ethan Richards — pictured with science teeacher Andrea Skinner — received Danville Area Community College's Academic Challenge Scholarship Award, which goes to the top-ranking seniors in the regional competition. Richards was awarded a 24-credit hour tuition waiver to be used at DACC. Also, 2016 Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) recipient and art teacher Mariah Rolinitis and 2023 DAR recipient Kelsie High combined forces to support the Crayon Initiative, which collects discarded crayons, recycles them, and then sends the new and improved crayons to children's hospitals in the U.S. Pictured: High and Rolinitis decorating buckets to be placed at each grade level at Judith Giacoma Elementary School. The winning grade level wins a treat to be provided by the Governor Bradford Chapter of the DAR in Danville.
— Irelynn Phelps
