2023-24 High School Confidential: Week 16

Feb. 1—NEW — Sign up for our High School Confidential newsletter here.

Want to purchase today's print edition? Here's a map of single-copy locations.

***

Welcome to Year 8 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

Last Friday, the X-Time Club hosted Y on the Fly and led them through STEAM activities. Club leader Jack Braun, along with Sophia Libman, Eleanor Laufenberg, Sorin Popescu and Hayden Jenks, enjoyed assisting the children through both a homeostasis and oobleck activity. Pictured: Libman, Jenks and Popescu.

— Eleanor Laufenberg

ALAH

Congratulations to the Knights for winning the first-ever Lincoln Prairie Conference cheer competition. As the basketball teams played each other, the corresponding cheer teams for those schools participated in a competition. Each team was judged on factors, including crowd involvement, floor cheer, sideline cheer, stunts, technique, tumbling/jumps and overall impression. Pictured:

Arcola

Last Wednesday marked the first practice for drama club actors. The students rehearsed their lines for their upcoming spring play, "Romeo, You Idiot!" On Friday, junior high and high school held an exploration day as students learned about available classes, clubs and extracurriculars they could join for the following year. Later that night, Arthur's bleacher stands were packed with fans as the boys' basketball team got the chance to compete at the LPC championship game. Finally, senior Aaron Gaona and junior Shelby Roberts McGeehon traveled to Peoria last weekend after being chosen to perform as part of the All-State choir. Photos courtesy Emily Coombe, Breanne Reinhard and Kris Bott.

— Bianca Arguelles

Armstrong

Two students from each class had the opportunity to attend a Youth Leadership Conference put on by Danville High School at Danville Area Community College. Students and leaders came together to learn from each other and talk about ideas to make opportunities at school more abundant.

— Eli Kennel

Bement

Det. Rich Wistocki returned to recognize the four finalists of the BeSureConsulting T-shirt design competition. Students who submitted a design were honored at an assembly in front of the student body. Pictured, left to right, wearing the winning design: Lilyan Harper, Wistocki, contest winner Joie Auth and Gabby Block (not pictured, Mackenzie Roberts). Wistocki will be outfitting his staff with the T-shirt and used it as a promotional item as they travel across the country educating on cyber safety.

— Quinn Flavin

BHRA

Students and faculty at the high school and junior high had a rock, paper, scissors contest to raise money for Bismarck Blessings, a committee that provides food and other supplies for students in need. Every student started with one bead necklace. Throughout the day, students challenged each other or a faculty member to one round, and the loser had to give up their beads. The students with the most bead necklaces faced off during an assembly at the end of the day for the prize of a $50 Casey's gift card. Freshman Clayton Thomas won the competition. Pictured: Elaine Pierotti and Lillian Spalding; Emma Pasquale and Principal Brent Rademacher; Clayton Thomas and Payton Wallace; and Abran Arvizu and Devin Stroud.

— Krislynn Kizer

Blue Ridge

FFA traveled to the Illinois FFA Ground Zero Conference at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale to learn leadership skills, meet new people and become better ag students. Pictured, left to right: (back row) Kelly Weiss, Shawn Christie, Tyler Holtz, Drake Hardesty, Bo Clark and Presley Hardesty; (front row) Indra Nolan, Carmen Ellis, Cheyanne Smith, Ava Hammer, Raeanna Miller and Elias Nolan. Also pictured: Shawn Christie and Kelly Weiss play pool. Photos courtesy Jacalyn Meisner.

— Addison Warsaw

Centennial

The archery team shot for St. Jude Children's Hospital. Their goal was to raise $4,500 but they quickly surpassed that, raising $5,384.27. It was a virtual meet, so Centennial was competing with schools all around raising money. The team sported pink shirts that said "I shoot for St. Jude. Kindness Counts." PIctured: Barbara Harrell.

— Lydia Shaw

Cerro Gordo

The boys' basketball team beat Cumberland to start off the Lincoln Prairie Conference tournament on Jan. 19 before losing to top-seed Arcola a day later. That sets up a rematch with ALAH for fifth place on Friday, the Knights winning last month's Corn Bowl game. "I'm proud of these boys for their effort so far in this tournament," coach Brandon Willard said. "It's fun to see them have success."

Champaign Central

On Sunday, the dance team competed in a field of six at the Illinois Dance Team Association hosted in Mattoon. They performed their hip hop routine called "Cry Me a River" for the AAA category and qualified for the State finals competition. Pictured: (top) Tashyia Russel, coach Illyanna Lopez, Kimora Maynor, Zarayah Markham, Charlene Smith and Leyla Allison; (bottom) Samantha Baker, Jae-Lynn Dillard, Aurélie Gerini and London Grant.

— Samaira Sandil

Chrisman

This year's homecoming theme is "Out of This World" in the colors pink, purple and blue. Throughout theweek there will be dress up-spirit days like Black-Out vs. Aliens! Other activities include class poster decorating, class hallways, battle of the classes, alumni prizes at the homecoming basketball game, coronation and the dance on Saturday. Homecoming takes place at the end of the boys' basketball season due to the lack of a football team, making it a a great way to kick the second semester!

Student council advisor Jennifer Lorton said the best part of planning the festivities is that "so many teachers and students sponsored class shirts for those that couldn't afford it. That's part of the small-town charm of Chrisman. We take care of our own and no one thinks twice about doing it."

She said she looks forward to decorating, her favorite part since inheriting the sponsor role, including turning the stage and cafeteria into a new venue.

"If you see me stuffing brownies in my mouth in my spare time, don't judge me," she said. "I'm powering through this week on carbs and chocolate!"

— Grayson Strange

Cissna Park

Friday's annual reading night concluded "Reading with the Pack." Elementary students who had been read to throughout "Reading with the Pack" attended a high school boys' basketball game. The girls' team came, too, and they all cheered on the boys.

— Brooklyn Stadeli

Danville

Future Problem Solvers partnered with U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly to host the first Congressional District 2 Downstate Youth Leadership Conference. Student leaders from across Kelly's district were invited to be delegates to have discussions with civic and educational leaderst. The guiding question: "How do the educationa and career opportunities available to high school students living in a small or rural area affect their futures?" Discussions were broken up into five topics: legislation, housing, student mental health and well-being, funding and equity, and career ppportunities. Students and adults alike were inspired to think more critically about their role in their communities. Many students communicated leaving the conference with a new perspective, having interacted with diverse thinking they would not otherwise have been exposed to. Congratulations to the Future Problem Solvers and Kelly on a successful conference.

— Isaiah Easton

DeLand-Weldon

It was homecoming week. Since the school doesn't have its own football team, homecoming is based around the boys' basketball team. Though students had two days off due to weather, they still were able to finish their hallway decorations and play some games ahead of the homecoming game on Friday against Greenview.

— Emma Westray

Fisher

The Scholastic Bowl Team has had a great season so far, the varsity team starting 4-2 under coach Michelle Wagner. Pictured, left to right: (back row) Grace Morgan and Ella Hazzard; (front row) Noah Hurley, Daniel Bein, Ander Hazzard, Jeremiah Todd and Jayton Reynolds; and (back row) Kaden Hays and Skylar Morse; (front frow) Alex Elwood, Naiah Loy, Emma Jent, Parker Rubenking and Connor Vestal.

— Jenna Clemmons

Georgetown-Ridge Farm

Seniors cheered and played their last basketball cancer awareness night game last week against Chrisman. Pictured: JJ Hall, Libby Wersich, Leyla Shelton and Ashlyn Spesard.

— Ashlyn Spesard

Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley

On Friday, the boys' basketball team had a home game and recognized a few special people to the GCMS community. Prior to the varsity game, teachers who have put in 25 years were announced: Carol Bierman, Lisa Thames, Jill Gibson, Joan Ricks, Tammy Seneca and Don Worthington. At halftime, Distinguished Alumni were announced: Tom Bennett (GCHS '74) and the late Scott Bennett (GCMS '95). These two recipients are like no other and represent GCMS proudly. Photos courtesy Sarah Chase.

— Rylie Huls

Heritage

Students in journalism and broadcasting class interviewed different teachers in the school, asking a variety of questions to work on their interviewing skills and to get to know the teachers better. Teachers interviewed included: Lauren Hopper (science and ACES sponsor), Brent Bagniefski (algebra I, geometry, statistics), Lisa Brooks (special education), Emilee Magsaman (agriculture, FFA sponsor) and Griffin Boyer (history, golf coach, Scholastic Bowl coach). The students are editing their footage and will share their videos this week. Pictured (courtesy Izzy Reed): seniors Izzy Reed and Riley Miller talking with Bagniefski; and senior Mary Roland editing her interview.

— Lillian Montgomery

Hoopeston Area

Student council visited Maple Grade School to read books to the K-second grade classes. The kids were very excited and enjoyed seeing the high schoolers. After reading, some of the classes played board games and colored with the high schoolers.

— Emmalee Bruens

Judah Christian

The English department hosted viewings of the 1995 "Pride and Prejudice" mini-series during lunch to complement the AP English 11 curriculum. Of course, anyone who was interested was welcome to come watch. Pictured: students engrossed in the film.

— Hannah Jackson

Mahomet-Seymour

It was a special week for many music students across the state, including seven M-S students. Four students made it to All-State for choir: John Grygiel IV, Levi Avery, Noelle Ramaly and Belle Difanis. Three more made it for All-State Band: Isaac Hanson(All State Honors Jazz Combo) as well as Aaron Rath and Tucker Loven (All State Honors Jazz Band). These students had the privilege to rehearse with the other top music students in the state as well as performing at Peoria Civic Center. Pictured, left to right: Grygiel, Levi Avery, Ramaly and Difanis.

— Maddie Grindley

Milford

Congratulations to girls' basketball coach Tom Marshino on his 100th win.

— Hunter Mowrey

Monticello

The high school continued to honor former teacher Natalie McDowell with its annual Orange Out basketball game. The week included a coin war between grades where the seniors came out on top, a family pie-in-the-face competition, a bake sale and a rock paper scissors competition. At the game, raffle baskets and a 50/50 drawing brought the total to $9,000 raised for charity. All proceeds will be donated to St. Jude Children's Hospital in honor of Mrs. McDowell, as she was a member of the Monticello St. Jude run team. Mrs. McDowell died in an auto accident in 2021.

— Tynley Jackson

Oakwood

At Friday's senior breakfast during homeroom, students remembered all the fun and bad times they had during high school.

— Lily Chestnut

Paxton-Buckley-Loda

Last Thursday, students in AP English Literature started to act out Shakespeare. It's a senior-only class taught by Andrea Schumann, who has had students reading King Lear and acting it out for the full effect. Students will continue doing this until completely finished with their play and projects and assignments relating to what they acted out.

— Rebecca Lackey

Rantoul

Three members from FFA competed Public Speaking and Job Interview contests. PascalineGrace Phongo placed eighth in prepared public speaking, Carmen Sage was third extemporaneous public speaking and Jacob Fox placed first in job interview to advance to the District 4 competition later this year. Also, the cheer team placed 16th at IHSA sectionals.

— Ashlee Freeman

St. Joseph-Ogden

The dance team competed at IHSA state on Friday. Students were able to take a fan bus to Bloomington to watch the girls compete.

— Mya Bott

St. Thomas More

Catching up for the past few months, the school awarded "Student of the Month" to Brenden Damore, Suhani Garg, Madalyn Sexton and Elaina Schmitz.

— Suhani Garg

Salt Fork

The FFA chapter took part in the Illinois FFA Ground Zero Conference at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, learning about overcoming obstacles and growing their leadership from the ground up.

— Macie Russell

Schlarman

To start the week, the junior high boys' basketball team won a Class 1A seventh-grade regional title. The high school's Scholastic Bowl team also won both of its matches. A group of students attended the Youth Leadership Conference hosted by the DHS Future Problem Solvers. Finally, it's Catholic Schools Week with many fun things planned for students. Picture, left to right: (top row) Peyton Kuemmerle, Hayden Miller and Wrigley O'Brien; (bottom row) Evy Kelsey, Hayden Fox, Anna Lehmann and Maya Jenny.

— Anna Lehmann

Shiloh

On Jan. 24, guests were invited to speak to senior students. They discussed careers and life choices that can be made after high school. Guests included: Houston Kirby, Brian Rhode (pictured), Dave Rich, Angela Wells and Sean Mixson. Many seniors learned life lessons throughout the session.

— Lydia Richardson

Tuscola

Special Olympics athletes participated in the Region 1 basketball individual skills competition in Mahomet. Congratulations to Mikayla Helmuth and Luke Reed for receiving gold medals, and Owen Brewer for a fourth-place finish. Coaches were Suzanne Rominger and Bill Lyons.

— Brayden Gough

Unity

It was an action packed week: Raegen Stringer and Henry Thomas each reached 1,000 career points and Phoenix Molina placed first at the girls' wrestling regionals; FFA participated in Public Speaking and Job Interview contests, with Olivia Shike placing first in the section 17 extemporaneous speech contest, Leah Watson placing first in creed speaking and Sophia Hartke placing third in the section job interview contest; and Vocal Rush kicked off their competition season with a preview show for the community in the Polly Anderson Auditorium.

— Tatum Meyer

Urbana

Theodore Nevins, Declan O'Connor, Jaiden Burgess, Ian Peters, Samantha Christman, JJ Lee, V Bechtel, Ioelle Lee participated in the Illinois Music Education Association's (ILMEA) All-State Conference in Peoria.

— Eisla Madigan

Westville

For three days, cheerleaders put on a camp for pre-kindergarten kids. The girls performed at halftime at a junior varsity basketball game. "These little girls really do bring out the joy in what we do as cheerleaders," sophomore cheerleader Brooklynn Strawser said. "They are all so well behaved and performed so well during the JV halftime show."

Also, on Jan. 24 a group of students attended the Congressional District 2 Downstate Youth Conference held at Danville Area Community College. There were many discussions concerning important topics such as student mental health, employment and career opportunities. "I believe this event best achieves opening one's mind to new possibilities, as well as presenting new problems and coming up with solutions to those problems," senior Marshall Schluter said. Huge shoutout to Danville High Future Problem Solvers for providing this conference.

— Olivia Troglia