2022-23 High School Confidential, Week 21

Feb. 23—Welcome to 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. Each Thursday through April, they'll tell us what's happening in their hallways at news-gazette.com.

At least once a week, we'll also hand over our Snapchat account (News-Gazette) to our correspondents for behind-the-scenes tours.

Feedback? Email N-G/VP Jim Rossow at jrossow@news-gazette.com.

On to this week's report:

Academy High

Advanced Chinese students hold certificates stating they won the silver award in the national Chinese essay writing competition. They each chose a real world topic such as poverty, climate change or inequality and wrote a two- to three-page essay regarding the topic in Chinese. Pictured left to right: Brady Tseng, Allan Huang, Elliot Emswiler, Rosie Atkinson and Xander Davis.

— Rosie Atkinson

ALAH

Every year, ALAH hosts Winter Follies, which allows students to get up on stage and perform an act, skit or performance of any type. The student body, faculty and staff then votes for the top three acts. Junior Colton Taylor came in third place with a speech. Second place went to a larger group — seniors Emma Edwards, Reagan Bowles, Josie Hale, Bianca Corona and Parker Dick; sophomore Lilly Edwards; and freshman Cash Hale — who re-enacted the dance battle from the movie "White Chicks." Dick stole the show by singing "My Way" by Frank Sinatra, which allowed him to achieve first place. Left to right: Taylor, Lilly Edwards, Bowles, Corona, Cash Hale, Emma Edwards, Josie Hale and Dick.

Arcola

The cheer team continued the annual tradition of painting banners for each of the senior members in pep band, cheer and basketball. The large banners hung in the high school gym for the boys' basketball Senior Night on Feb. 14.

— Karina Warfel

Bement

Members of the Illinois National Guard visited Angie Corum's classes. Students learned about MREs (Meal, Ready-to-Eat) and got to try some of them.

— Emily Parrish

BHRA

Audrey Taylor and Isaiah Tidwell achieved the Daughters of American Revolution and Sons of American Revolution good citizen awards, which recognize high school seniors who possess qualities in leadership, service and patriotism. Additionally, Principal Brent Rademacher is taking them to the Illinois Principals Association Student Recognition Banquet to showcase their achievements.

— Cody Drake

Blue Ridge

Fine arts representatives hosted their annual talent show last Friday to raise money for the band program. The talent show featured a host of brilliant performances by students and teachers alike, including performances on the piano, a cover of "A Million Dreams" from "The Greatest Showman," a cover of "Free Fallin'," a drum battle, clogging, ballet, the YMCA dance, acrobatics, poi ball light performance, an "Old Town Road"/"Country Roads" mashup on brass instruments, performances by the color guard and dramatic readings.

— Cadin Dozier

Centennial

On Friday, gold medal-winning Paralympic sitting volleyball player Nichole Millage visited Rose Binder's second-hour class and taught the students how to play the sports correctly. Also, the school's spring blood drive was a success as it resulted in more than the expected amount of blood given. Pictured: student Derek Skaar.

— Elena Reifsteck

Cerro Gordo

In celebration of Valentine's Day, the junior high student council sold cans of Crush soda to be delivered to their special someone. The students raised $269 to donate to local restaurant Judy's Kitchen, which will provide meals for people in need. Also, the girls' basketball team competed for a regional championships against Mount Pulaski.

— Hannah Copeland

Champaign Central

Last Wednesday, the Drama Department held play previews for its latest production of "Noises Off," a farce about a colorful group of actors and a frustrated director struggling to put on a play. Throughout the day, students from English classes went to Decker Theatre to see different acts of the play during class periods. Performances of "Noises Off" ran from Thursday to Sunday. Photos courtesy Robin Fitzgerald: left to right, Sam Ryan, Eric Lim and Bess Chamley as Garry Lejeune, Frederick Fellowes and Dotty Otley, respectively; left to right, Eric Lim, Kate Roth playing Belinda Blair, Bess Chamley and Sam Ryan; Alex Curry as Poppy Norton-Taylor; Wade Schacht and Mattew Ferrer as Lloyd Dallas and Tim Allgood; Jordan Rinkenberger as Selsdon Mowbray; Eric Lim and Kate Roth; and Sam Ryan and Ellis Mansfield, who's playing Brooke Ashton.

— Janani Pattabi

Chrisman

The National Honor Society induction ceremony was held on Friday. Sara Goss, Brianna Barna, Asa Hoult, Ali Prisecaru and Grayson Strange were the new inductees. Officers Reese Anderson, Landes Strange, Sydney Tevebaugh and Olivia Radke also presented speeches defining the four pillars of NHS: leadership, character, scholarship and service.

— Reese Anderson

Cissna Park

Students in physics class worked hard to build a wooden bridge to compete in Purdue's Bridge Bust contest. They spent Friday at Purdue, and their bridge ended up holding 30 pounds of sand.

— Mikayla Knake

Danville

Boys' basketball, boys' swimming, cheerleaders and Pompettes celebrated Senior Night as family and friends came out to support these students at their final event of the regular season. The boys' basketball team walked away with a win that night against Champaign Central.

— Josie Hotsinpiller

DeLand-Weldon

Physics class students have been constructing spaghetti bridges for the past few weeks. On Friday, it was finally time to put them to the test. Jack Schmidt said, "I had a lot of fun working on my bridge, but the best part was definitely winning."

— Abigail Trimble

Fisher

National Honor Society organized a bake sale for Valentine's Day. Proceeds went to the American Heart Association, students baking all of the goods themselves. Pictured: Carter Dickey, Jordan Claxton and teacher Matt Vogel.

— Emma McFarling

Georgetown-Ridge Farm

Senior cheerleaders and basketball players said goodbye to the sport at the final home game of the season. Pictured, left to right: head coach Emily Murray, senior Izabella Wills, senior Lilli Hutson, senior J'Lynn Waltz, senior Cecelia Boyd, senior Abbigale Finley and assistant coach Kenzie Cavanaugh.

— Izabella Wills

Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley

In celebrating Mental Health Week, Mental Health Club members planned spirit days and fun team-building activities. On Friday, guest speakers Walker Willis and senior Korah Palumbo had insightful messages pertaining to the importance of mental health. Students participated in various breakout rooms, including yoga, relationships and even a therapy dog. The week wrapped up with competitive class games.

— Katie Steidinger

Heritage

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America week included dress-up days and homeroom games. Last Wednesday, FCCLA members attended the Section 7 rally in Charleston. Kashton White was elected new section treasurer and Madi Wilson new section secretary.

— Katelyn Learned

Hoopeston Area

Meghan Simpson, Gabriel Joneikis, Nolan Lee and Ashton Zorns participated in the 44th annual Bridge Bust at Purdue University. Each member built excellent bridges and introduced a presentation over their bridge as a whole. Simpson came home with first place overall, competing against students from three states.

— Emma Rayls

Iroquois West

On Friday, the school added its second Athletic Wall of Fame inductee, Jim Miller. Miller has 64 years of experience in shooting sports and dedicated many years to the community. He founded the first Iroquois West Rifle Club in 1971, which remains popular today with both Clifton Central and Iroquois West students.

— Calli Kraft

Judah Christian

To celebrate Valentine's Day, students bought candy grams to send to each other. They had options of chocolate kisses, Starbursts or a rose. To make it happen, students volunteered to sell, make, sort and deliver the candy grams by Feb. 14. Pictured: Kenzie Jackson and Maggie Newell; and Jill Griswold, Claudia Bautista, Keaton Welch, Tucker Yasunauga and Owen Jones.

— Bethany Jackson

LeRoy

To celebrate Valentine's Day, chorus members traveled to the elementary school, Senior Center, the Replex, Luther Oaks and several other businesses. They brought cheer to many members of the community by delivering Valentines in the form of music.

— Lily Monigold

Mahomet-Seymour

A new club at school: bass fishing. Students had their first practice last week, working on casting inside the fieldhouse.

— Maddie Grindley

Milford

The Bearcats participated in the ACES Academic Challenge on Feb. 7, placing first in the 300 division as several students placed individually. The team advanced to sectionals at Eastern Illinois University on March 9. Pictured: Emma McEwen, Anna McEwen, Madison Demarse, Lily Dluzak, Paul Harms, Luke Trumann, Cameron Langellier, Mady Bennett, Cadence Schaubert, MJ Johnson, Kirstyn Lucht, Maddie Hardwick, Aria Leppard and Carter Borgers.

— Maddie Hardwick

Monticello

The performance of "We Will Rock You" by thespian members rocked the high school auditorium last weekend. With four shows over four days, the thespians gave a performance to remember. Pictured: Jackson Heck dragging Ryan Olsen, and Killer Queen actress Addie Barclay with her henchmen, Jackson Heck and Reagan Pyatt.

— Will Ross

Oakwood

After custodian Chris Clark was diagnosed with cancer, the high school decided to hold a fundraiser. Not only is Oakwood selling bracelets and T-shirts, but the students also donated extra cash to help Clark pay hospital bills. The student body raised nearly $2,000. The community has been very supportive and knows Clark can beat cancer.

— Kalie Tison

Paxton-Buckley-Loda

Jeremiah Ager and Trixie Johnson were recognized by the Illinois House of Representatives for being encouraging leaders on their respective basketball teams.

— Katie Wilson

Rantoul

Cheerleaders came together for one last picture featuring the four seniors (in front, left to right): Marin Leng, Caya Flesner, Taylor Mennenga and Tyler Young.

— Caya Flesner

St. Joseph-Ogden

On Feb. 14, seniors in boys' basketball, cheer and dance were recognized before the boys' varsity game. Pictured: McGwire Atwood, Ty Pence, Maddux Carter, Emily Jeffries, Ava Northen, Leah Finley, Emma Rydell, Morgan Cramer, Katie Earley and Courtney Myren. Pictures courtesy of Kendra Pence.

— Alyssa Acton

St. Thomas More

On Tuesday, National Honor Society hosted its annual blood drive. Partnering with ImpactLife, NHS invited students, teachers and members of the community to donate blood. Pictured, left to right: Daniel Suits, Blake Bermingham, Anthony Studer and Jude Pisarczyk.

— Jose Andino Guerra

Salt Fork

Of Oakwood-Salt Fork's five IHSA wrestling state qualifiers, one member stood out: Salt Fork senior wrestler Reef Pacot, who finished second. He finished his career as the most decorated wrestler in school history with 158 wins.

— Macie Russell

Schlarman

On Feb. 14, it was Senior Night for six cheerleaders. The girls were presented with gifts from fellow teammates. Seniors: Karlee Belton, Makayla Blurton, Ella Dixon, Mia Martinez, Lilli Perez and Natalie Vasquez.

— Lilli Perez

Shiloh

Superintendent Bill Myers, in his first year, started a podcast called "Shiloh Shout-Out," which is streamed on Spotify. A student is picked each week to talk about a club, teacher or class. Each Friday, an episode is released that gives information about what is happening throughout the week and sports news. The podcast has been a hit and has gotten students involved throughout the year. Pictured: Myers and junior Sami McClain.

— Lydia Richardson

Tuscola

Dance team seniors Alexis Feeler and Amelia Reed, who performed their last routine as Tuscola Warriorettes on Feb. 14.

Uni High

Normal classes were suspended for Agora Days last week. This annual Uni tradition saw the typical academic curriculum replaced by special-interest courses taught by students, parents, alumni and faculty. Class topics ranged from video games to cooking to cricket and everything in between. A group of upperclassmen also traveled to Clarksdale, Miss., to build housing. Pictured: Mariam Vaid, Emma Murawski, Vraj Patel, Benji Chang, Navid Tajkhorshid, Ryan Wang, Marlow Tracy, Andrea Torelli Lathulerie, Amalia Bollero, Zoya Ahmad, Anya Troyer and Kara Mathias. Said Vaid: "Fully immersing myself in the welcoming and vibrant community enabled me to not only recognize my own privilege, but helped me to understand the importance of community, service and hope."

— Wes Lu

Unity

Six wrestlers represented the Rockets at the IHSA wrestling state finals in Champaign. Kyus Root earned a fourth-place finish, while Nick Nosler nabbed a state championship. All of the wrestlers were recognized at a schoolwide assembly Tuesday.

— Jolie Meyer

Urbana

Members of Key Club helped their furry friends and the environment by creating dog toys out of old T-shirts to donate to local animal shelters. Pictured: Besserat Stifanos (in white), Nourseen Ismail (in pink) and Ioelle Lee (holding the green shirt).

— Jennifer Arriaga-Lopez

Westville

Chorus joined forces with the junior high to sing songs of love, heartbreak and renewal at the SweetHeart Concert on Feb. 12. Pictured, right to left: Sarah Dittmar, Irelynn Phelps, Chey Crowl, Ellen Howie and Shay Lee; and Josie Tucker, Olivia Hutchins and Ava Phelps.

— Irelynn Phelps