2022-23 High School Confidential, Week 22

Mar. 2—***

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

For Black History Month, People Of Color club (POC) hosted a bake sale to raise funds for its upcoming event that focuses on celebrating historically underrepresented Black teachers, coaches and role models (pictured: Jazz Jahiel). The club, founded last year, has been collaborating with various cultural and community service clubs in Champaign-Urbana. Later this month, Academy, Urbana and Central high schools will honor Black educators at all levels. Email nominations to jstory@academyhighschool.org.

— Rosie Atkinson

ALAH

On Feb. 24, journalism class received permission to leave school after second hour. One task was to sell as many yearbook ads as possible to lower the cost of yearbooks for the school. Three groups split up and visited businesses in Arthur, Arcola, Lovington, Sullivan, Atwood, Hammond, Tuscola and Chesterville. The class is taught by Kendall Huffman, and the seniors helped organize the day by being leaders for each group. The day was a huge success. Pictured left to right: (back row) Emma Jones, Lucy Wilber, Maggie Benedict, Lillian Edwards, Jacob Adcock, Addie Yeakle, Landon Waldrop and Josie Hale; (front row) Caty Lucas, Kailee Otto, Chloe Franklin, Skyler Vorck and Layla Deel.

Armstrong

National FFA Week made its return with school spirit and fun homeroom activities.

— Gigi Mulvaney

Arcola

Junior high and high school students took part in the annual Ag Olympics last Friday to cap a week of FFA spirit days. The assembly included tug-of-war, an egg toss and the highly anticipated milk chug.

— Karina Warfel

BHRA

Theater students took to the stage for the spring musical "Legally Blonde Jr." The production was met with a sold-out crowd for both showings. Two months of preparation went into the show, which was directed by Katie Post with Nancy Heidrick as assistant director. Additionally, a thank-you to Dave Shroeder for music and vocal assistance, as well as Jeff Beukelman and his set crew. The cast and crew loved every second of their time preparing and performing, making lasting memories — especially the seniors, as this was their last high school performance.

— Cody Drake

Blue Ridge

For National FFA Week, there was a theme for students and staff to follow each day. On Tuesday — Anything But A Backpack Day — there was an assembly. Wednesday was Country vs. Country Club Day, Thursday was College/Career Day, and Friday was Blue and Gold Day in honor of FFA. Also Friday, there was a petting zoo, and students drove tractors to school. Also, Blue Ridge celebrated its first student to sign with a college e-sports team: Kenyon Wagner, who is headed to Cumberland University in Tennessee. Family and friends attended a signing ceremony.

— Cadin Dozier

Cerro Gordo

Students who won the chance to speak in front of the Cerro Gordo American Legion because of their phenomenal Americanism essays were announced: Autumn Gant, Jazlyn Howell and Abram Nixon from the middle school; Chloe Skelly and Grace Hawk from the ninth-grade class; Adrianah Hollgarth from the 10th-grade class; and Josie Gentry, Ryan Bogle and Amber Danner from the senior class. These students have been invited to join the Legion on March 9 to read their essays.

— Hannah Copeland

Champaign Central

The theme of Saturday's annual Spring Fling dance was "Flower Power" as the Commons area was transformed by colorful streamers and flower-shaped balloons with students arriving in their best floral attire. Central's student-run newspaper, The Chronicle, had its second photo booth to raise money for its new website. The staff hopes to make the photo booth a staple at school dances in the future. Chronicle sponsor June Choi next to the photo booth; Robin Fitzgerald, Sam Ryan and Elliot Penning-Bush; El Dager and Kat Gray posing for a picture; Parker Burk and Ally Locke; and Chronicle staff Julia Hopkins and Adelaide Kota volunteering to take pictures.

— Janani Pattabi

Chrisman

For National FFA Week, officers put on events for the school and community. Monday night was a meeting open to family and alumni members. On Tuesday, FFA showed appreciation for teachers with donuts. Wednesday saw FFA members serving their annual chili lunch to the community. Thursday was barnyard day, where students got to view the variety of farm animals. On Friday, Ag Olympics allowed classes to compete in fun games. Officers include: Garrett Wells (treasurer), Samantha Raimer (reporter), Hana Gillaspie (president), Nic Eddy (vice president), Reese Anderson (secretary), Makenzie Mitchell (sentinel) and adviser Jennifer Honnold.

— Reese Anderson

Cissna Park

National FFA Week included dress-up days: Greenhand/FFA Shirt Day, Official Dress Day, America Day and Carhartt/Work Clothes Day. Even the elementary kids participated. FFA members were also able to participate in a chicken dodgeball game, a petting zoo and brought tractors and trucks to school. There was a pork chop dinner for the teachers and a farmers breakfast. In addition, students participated in in-class activities and competitions such as a milk chug, bale toss, chubby bunny challenge, Mountain Dew chug, FFA trivia and puzzles. Pictured: Dierks Neukomm, Trent Schmid, Ethan Tuttle, Clint Walder and Levi Waldbeser; Josie Neukomm and Sophie Duis; Tricia Karas; Ava Morrical; Macy Sinn and Emma Malabehar; and Julia Edelman and Savannah Kaeb.

— Mikayla Knake

Danville

Phil Shaw IV placed fourth at the IHSA state finals at State Farm Center. Shaw lost in the quarterfinals but wrestled his way back to the third-place match.

— Josie Hotsinpiller

DeLand-Weldon

Students are hard at work redesigning the high school hallways and lobby. Adding lights, new tables, pictures and more has been a fun way to bring a homey feel into the school. Pictured: Kaydance Wooton.

— Abigail Trimble

Fisher

For National FFA Week, students dressed up each day and participated in fun activities like bag races during lunch.

— Emma McFarling

Georgetown-Ridge Farm

On Friday, the school day was cut in half so students and staff could face off in basketball. There were two games: staff vs. eighth-grade boys and staff vs. seniors. Staff won both games that featured special outfits and saw one girl step up to the plate in Bryleigh Collom. All of it was put on by teacher and alum Keegan Wills, a fan favorite who has made so many amazing things in the short time he's been here. Pictured: Travis Tate shooting the ball; Alan Baldwin sporting a wig; Wills taking a shot; and high scorer Brad Russell.

— Izabella Wills

Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley

FFA officers (left to right) Mitchel Quinley, Emily Vaughn, Lexi Cliff, Syda Schlickman, Brynn Boundy, Ryan Carley and Charles Francis were responsible for planning a busy National FFA Week. Activities included spirit days, lunch-time karaoke, drive a tractor to school and a fan favorite, Kiss-a-Pig. Whichever teacher had the most change in their bucket by the end of the week won the kiss. Vickie Conlin and Mike Allen won the honors. The week wrapped up with the annual FFA auction.

— Katie Steidinger

Heritage

Christine Campos' dual-credit English class is reading "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell. After each chapter, students return to class and compete in a new challenge. Last week, students had to do improv judged by Principal Corey White. Team "Resk" won. Members included Skyla Alden, Katelyn Bensyl, Emma Young and Rae Sprandel. The class then convinced White, Campos and student teacher Jonathan Phalen to do their own improv scene.

— Katie Learned

Hoopeston Area

Senior volleyball and softball player Tobi West signed her letter of intent to play volleyball at Keystone College in La Plume, Pa. She was joined by her coaches, teammates, family and friends the ceremony at the school.

— Emma Rayls

Iroquois West

Last weekend's annual FFA auction was one of the school's largest fundraising events of the year. With the help of high-schoolers in agriculture classes, the organization was able to collect donations throughout the community, as well as prepare a meal for those in attendance. Pictured: state Rep.Tom Bennett and 2022 Miss Iroquois County Fair Queen Jakki Mowrey with a group of students and their ag sponsors, Aimee Chandler and Sandi Howe.

— Calli Kraft

Judah Christian

Students have been working hard during and after school in preparation for the senior sale (8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday). They have been collecting, sorting and organizing all the donations. Pictured (photo courtesy Essie Brown): Malachi Settles and Jacob Kursell.

— Bethany Jackson

LeRoy

Multiple students submitted work for the Heart of Illinois Conference Art Festival, including photography, paintings, drawings and multimedia. Award winners included Lucy Thayn (Best in Photo/Video), Darcy Byrd (Best in 2D Mixed Media) and Lily Beer (Honorable Mention Painting as well as Honorable Mention 3D Mixed Media). Art students who submitted work will participate in the HOIC Art Festival on March 3 at Illinois State University.

— Lily Monigold

Mahomet-Seymour

AP biology classes worked in groups last week to prepare for their Friday quiz. They watched videos, read parts of the textbook and worked together to complete various activities in their unit packets.

— Maddie Grindley

Milford

Anatomy students took a field trip to the Kankakee Community College Cadaver Lab on Feb. 23 where they toured campus, learned about anatomy classes offered and viewed a human cadaver. Pictured, left to right: Maris Cook, Alyssa Alvarez, Mady Bennett, Shane Wilson, Cadence Schaubert, Jasmin Cullum, Brandon Torbet, Aly Hansen, Angel Brittenham, Gavin Schunke, Max Cook, Kadin Harris, Allie Matthews, Hunter Mowrey, Alissa Summers, Eva Brown and Emily Eheart.

— Maddie Hardwick

Monticello

FFA officers Brayden Robson, Addison Bartlow and Jack Brown helped cook breakfast for the student body on Friday, one of the seven activities in celebration of National FFA Week.

— William Ross

Oakwood

On Friday, student council and National Honor Society volunteered to be mentors for fifth- through eighth-graders. The high-schoolers broke up into groups, and each group had a different topic: academic, social and activity. The younger students learned how to keep grades up in high school, what to expect from teachers and peers, how to make friends, how to be respectful and how to develop teamwork. Each grade was taught something a little more appealing; the younger grades learned more about respect and making friends, while the older grades learned more about high school and time management.

— Kalie Tison

Paxton-Buckley-Loda

Quim Uribe-Rodriguez won PBL February Artist of the Month and will be in the running for Artist of the Year in May.

— Kate Wilson

Rantoul

Members of the school's FFA chapter out helped out customers at Culver's in Champaign on Feb. 21 during National FFA Week.

— Caya Flesner

St. Joseph-Ogden

The boys' basketball team beat BHRA for a regional championship last Friday. The Maroon Platoon was back at it, cheering the Spartans on. Among those pictured (photo courtesy Kendra Pence): Hayden Lewis, McGwire Atwood, Maddux Carter, Logan Smith, Coy Taylor, Kyler Swanson and Logan Lackey.

— Alyssa Acton

St. Thomas More

Thanks to the athletic booster organization, the athletic department has a new scorer's table and sideline chairs for indoor athletic events.

— Jose Andino Guerra

Salt Fork

National FFA Week consisted of a variety of fun activities for students and staff, including bringing tractors to school, stacking hay, showing a pig and timed relay horse racing. Also, FFA leader Stacey Rickard was selected 2023 Section 18 Golden Owl Award winner; Oakwood-Salt Fork wrestling made school history by bringing home the fourth-place team trophy at IHSA state; and the boys' basketball team beat St. Thomas More for regional title.

— Macie Russell

Shiloh

Nationa FFA Week was a blast with dress-up days, a barnyard, tractors at school and a lunch for teachers. Members of the organization brought in different animals to the barnyard and let elementary, junior high and high school students come and pet them. WCIA did a report on the barnyard and interviewed several people showing animals as well as the adviser, Elise Hackett (pictured), who did a fabulous job directing all the activities.

— Lydia Richardson

Uni High

At Friday's winter chorus concert, the choir sang a Beatles medley, and parents of the singers were invited to join their children on the risers. Along with the choir performance, the audience was also treated to a sing-along. The concert ended with "Blue Moon" and many of the singers dancing with their parents.

— Wes Lu

Unity

National FFA Week included dress-up days, a sale of baked goods at lunch and the hiding of rubber ducks throughout school for students to find and turn in for prizes. FFA also hosted their annual pork chop lunch for the school and community. The week ended with Drive-Your-Tractor-to-School Day, which is always a fun sight.

— Jolie Meyer

Urbana

Student senate started their movie night tradition with "Mean Girls" as a way to celebrate Valentine's Day for friends and couples. Students dressed in pink to win a raffle and brought their cuddly stuffed animals along. Pictured: Citlali Cortes Alvarez and D'meneca Turner-Winston (left) and Alyssa Davis.

— Jennifer Arriaga-Lopez

Villa Grove

On Friday of National FFA Week, FFA held an assembly and raised $1,400 for the snack back program. At the assembly, the teacher who had the most money in their jar was selected to kiss a pig. The winner: physical education teacher Mary McGarigle.

— Emma Bratten-Noice

Westville

"Leadership, Experience, Opportunity" — that's what makes a Leo. Members of Leo clubs embody the best qualities of the organization. Pictured: Leo members from the high school and junior high school; and Lions Club President Darren VanDuyn and Leo club officers, left to right, Luke Barney, Aidan Skinner, Brooklyn White and Cade Schaumburg.

— Irelynn Phelps