2023-24 High School Confidential: Week 6

Nov. 2—NEW — Sign up for our High School Confidential newsletter here.

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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.

Academy High

Students participated in spirit week leading up to Halloween. The themes were decided on by student council and included fun topics like rhyme without reason and ugly sweater day. The class that had the most participation won a prize. For rhyme without reason day, freshmen dressed up as words that rhyme with "apper," including scrapper, kidnapper, dapper, napper, and rapper. Seniors dressed up as words that rhyme with "een," including queen, scene, jean, caffeine and aquamarine. Photos by Laura Miller and Sidney Leskis.

— Eleanor Laufenberg and Cassie Patten

ALAH

After many years without a fall play, Drama Club is bringing one back with "The Importance of Being Ernest" on Dec. 1-3. There are 23 students involved in the production, which will take place at the stage in the gym. "Everyone's working together to make it happen," Spanish teacher and Drama Club sponsor Faith Rund said.

The dates were pushed back — "It's more of an early-winter show now," Rund said — but the students remain determined to make it happen.

Rund is in her second year at ALAH. At Monticello High School, she was The News-Gazette's High School Confidential reporter in 2017. "It's fun to look back at that experience," she said.

The Augustana College graduate is glad to see interest in theatre take off at ALAH with the return of a first-semester performance.

"I wanted to push our program a little bit so we took on the challenge to do two in one year," she said. "The kids are excited."

Arcola

Say cheese! Last week, students and fall sports teams had their photos captured for picture day. Volleyball played at regionals at Okaw Valley High School as well, giving it their all — as did the student section. The dress-up theme was Purple Out and students got to show off their Rider pride. Additionally, senior Sam Montano represented Arcola at the IHSAE Art Throwdown, putting his artistic skills to the test against other students from across the state.

— Bianca Arguelles

Armstrong

The SADD organization (Students Against Destructive Decisions), run by Ellen Vore and Destiny Gray, hosted the annual Red Ribbon Week to stand up against bad decisions. Students dressed up to "paint the school red" to not sacrifice a good life for a good time! SADD finished the week with a student assembly by playing a game to show the hardship and stupidity of drunk driving. Pictured: Cain Buhr.

— Eli Kennel

Bement

Four band students were chosen to participate in the Millikin Honor Band last Monday. They left school around 8:30 a.m. for Decatur, where they learned four songs to then perform later that night. Pictured, left to right: Ella Corum, Gabby Block, Tierra Taylor and Tyce Alumbaugh.

— Quinn Flavin

BHRA

The girls' cross-country team competed the IHSA sectionals on Saturday. Aleah Potter advanced to state and the other girls had a terrific season.Pictured, left to right: Alivia Reifsteck, Reesey LaBeane, Madeline Thorlton, Gabby Moreman, Aleah Potter and Addison Hensold,

— Krislynn Kiser

Blue Ridge

With the help of State FFA Treasurer Ben Bremmer, new members received their jackets. Pictured (courtesy Jacalyn Meisner): Jayden Sexton (neon) and Ava Franzen (red).

— Addison Warsaw

Centennial

Members of the small but mighty Philosophy Club — Anna Diamani and Kiera Garcia-Reyes (club presidents), Sophia Stuart, Jilliane Acosta, Isabella Campbell, Myra Dodd, Jonathan Harrell, Jacob Witte, and Lydia Shaw — meet Thursdays. Last week was about consumerism and how it can be an issue during the holidays. The club enjoyed sparkling grape juice provided by sponsor Robert Meagher.

— Lydia Shaw

Cerro Gordo

FFA students competed and won a horse judging contest earlier this semester. To prepare, students learned the anatomy of horses, breeds, performances and other characteristics. FFA members then walk around and judge the horses based off of the knowledge they have about equine science. Cerro Gordo was first out of 13 area schools. Marissa Gentry was second place overall, Dylan Davis eight place and Abe Nixon ninth place. Pictured, left to right: (back row) Dylan Davis, Caleb Weaver, Ian Bettinger, Jayda Scott, Abe Nixon and Luke Meinders; (front row) Jalie Doolin, Marrisa Gentry, Jaz Howell, Madie Nevius, Jack Hentz, Luke Walker and Miller Giger

— Riley Welch

Champaign Central

On Saturday, the Maroons competed at the Jacksonville cross-country sectional. It was a successful meet with many runners scoring season- and lifetime-best times. Two students, Aleigha Garrison and Caleb Mathias, qualified for this weekend's state finals at Detweiller Park. Photos courtesy of Mandy Sutton.

— Samaira Sandil

Chrisman

The Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America officer team traveled to Southern Illinois University in Carbondale in support of state officer Serena Raimer's fall leadership conference. As a member of the Illinois FCCLA Executive State Counsel, Raimer got to host a conference with a keynote speaker, enlightening workshops and lots of smiles. Running an event with over 400 attendees is much better when one has great help. Pictured,left to right: Grayson Strange, Serena Raimer, Sabrina Boyer, Victoria LaBaume and Ellie Lorton.

— Grayson Strange

Cissna Park

For Homecoming week, students celebrated with dress-up days, games on Friday and a '70s disco-themed Hdance on Saturday.

— Brooklyn Stadeli

Danville

Spanish Club, Art Club and Hispanic Leadership Club threw a Día de Los Muertos celebration. The Mexican holiday, traditionally celebrated Nov. 1-2, is meant to honor, remember and cherish deceased loved ones, who are believed to come back to visit on these days. At the celebration, Spanish Club gave a cultural presentation, and Art Club led a skeleton painting activity. The groups also served tacos, pan dulce and horchata to participating students.

— Isaiah Easton

DeLand-Weldon

Last Friday, the music department played at a parade at parks in DeLand and Weldon where elementary school students could show off their Halloween costumes.

— Emma Westray

Fisher

Band and chorus members were back in black at their respective fall concerts. Both under new direction, the band (Abby Freymuth) performed five pieces and the chorus (Nora Klick) performed two. Pictured, left to right: (back row) Caleb Zwilling, Daniel Bein, Kailynn Sansare, Sadie Bruggman, Oliver Carpenter, Parker Rubenking, Aiden Cheek, Jeremiah Todd, Jesse Arndt and Noah Hurley; (front row) Sophie Moore, Luke Hansens, Addilyn Bent-Perzee, Shelbie Lucas, Brooklynn Kellems, Kesiah Musick, Levi Scheurich and Naiah Loy; and (back row) Alex Elwood, Emily Lone, Ella Hazzard and Kesiah Musick; (front row) Kyra Lusk, Grace Morgan, Keaton Brooks, Ezekiel Walters, Daniel Bein and Joshua Funken.

— Jenna Clemmons

Georgetown-Ridge Farm

Students were inducted into the National Honor Society on Monday evening, hand-picked based on scholarship, leadership, service and character. Pictured: (front row) Chloe Winslow, Leyla Shelton, Haley Carlton, Sydney Spesard and Claire Renaker; (back row) Weston Baird, Madison Digby, Mallory Fegget, Silas Shirley, Addison Spesard and Ashlyn Spesard.

— Ashlyn Spesard

Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley

On Fridays during the football season, the team heads to the elementary school to greet students as they walk in. They are also assigned a classroom where they read to and hang out with the kids. The elementary students love and look forward to the traditional visits. Also, students in parenting class got to take home babies for the weekend.

— Rylie Huls

Heritage

Spanish 4 class prepared for Day of the Dead. Students followed a recipe to bake sugar skulls and decorated them with icing and sprinkles. Pictured: Madisyn Rauckman decorating a sugar skull.

— Lillian Montgomery

Hoopeston Area

The esports team competed in its first match against Armstrong-Potomac. Esports is fairly new to Hoopeston but has already had a lot of success.

— Emmalee Bruens

Judah Christian

The Judah Christian community came together to celebrate the seasonal senior athletes, including the tudent section, which went all out to show their spirit. The seniors honored were Ava Carder, Grace Maxwell, Hannah Jackson, Klementine Davis, Rachel Divan, Grant Ipsen, Caleb McCullough, John McDaniel and Julian Llano. Pictured (courtesy Lucas Zhao): senior volleyball players; Grant Ipsen and his family; Julian Llano and his family; and the student section cheering for the team.

— Hannah Jackson

LeRoy

Seven seniors were named as Illinois State Scholars based on their junior year SAT scores and sixth-semester grade-point average: Matthew Stuepfert, Emily Bogema, Abby Clapp, Logan Sparling, Lauren Bossingham, Izzy Pray and Brady Grizzle. Also, 36 student-decorated pumpkins through Meredith Little's art classes were entered into her annual Pumpkin Painting Contest. This year's winners were Aeris La Bounty (first), Brynley Hubrich (second), Izzy Shivers and Kayden Wallen (third).

— Emily Bogema

Mahomet-Seymour

Spanish Club is back at it. Last week, they made sugar skulls in order to decorate them for Dia De Los Muertos (Day Of The Dead) on Nov.1-2. The Spanish classes of levels 3, 4 and AP constructed ofrendas for Day of the Dead as well, and some of the sugar skulls were used on them. An ofrenda is the offering that is placed in the home, resembling an altar, during the holiday. They are typically created by family members and friends of the person who has passed away, the point being to welcome the deceased to the altar in order to ensure their blessings. The point of the classes making the ofrendas is to learn about the people they are making it for, work as a class, and build an authentic ofrenda that truly represents the person they chose. Each class received the same amount of time to plan and create the ofrendas before foreign language teachers case their vote. The winning class may get a prize.

— Maddie Grindley

Milford

Red Ribbon Week was celebrated with dressup days: Monday's "Dream A Life Without Drugs," Tuesday's "Hold Your Horses On Drugs," Wednesday's "Be A Drug Free Team," Thursday's "Voting For My Future To Be Drug Free" and Friday's "Rally In Red."

— Hunter Mowrey

Monticello

Lifesavers hosted Red Ribbon Week to inform students how to prevent drug and alcohol use as well as bullying. Students visited White Heath Elementary, Monticello Middle School and Washington Elementary to teach lessons on the topic. The week also included trivia, a bake sale, wearing red and a visit from the Angel of Death, who visited every 32 minutes to represent how often teens die from an alcohol-related death.

— Tynley Jackson

Oakwood

Spanish teacher Pamela Yergler put together an altar, also referred to as an ofrenda, in the school's entryway to celebrate "Day of the Dead" on Nov. 1-2. An ofrenda is a way to represent the life of lost loved ones. Yergler asked staff if they'd like to incorporate their lost loved one with pictures in the school altar. Also, Spanish I, II and III classes made their own ofrenda. We are grateful for Yergler helping us know how to celebrate the lives of the ones dear to our hearts.

— Lily Chesnut

Rantoul

For Red Ribbon Week, there were dressup days themed to promote a healthy and drug free lifestyle (Friday was the Halloween costume dressup day). Also, zoology class went to Heritage Park to collect insects for a project, and Drama Club put on a fall play called "Almost Maine."

— Ashlee Freeman

St. Joseph-Ogden

The boys' cross-country team competed at the sectional meet in Decatur. Senior Carson Maroon led the way with a ninth-place finish in a time of 16 minutes.

— Mya Bott

St. Thomas More

The school celebrated the volleyball team's regional championship against Bloomington Central Catholic. Pictured: Coach Brad Dalton, Shannon Monahan, Sophia Hill, Cassidy Monahan, Addison Kerr, Maia Ehlen, Julia Johnson, Julianne Kerr, Campbell Philips, Ally Nelson, Audrey Gooding, Anne Schwenk, Madison Paceley and Quinn Miller.

— Suhani Garg

Salt Fork

Dustin Dees was selected as the Division 5 Athletic Director of the Year for Class 1A/2A. This award is well deserved as Dees has put countless hours of hard work into improving the athletic department and school.

— Macie Russell

Schlarman

It was a week of fundraising. Ending their season with some goodwill, the volleyball team raised money for OSF Sacred Heart Medical Center. The Schlarman community also is collecting canned goods items to donate to the local food drive.

— Anna Lehmann

Shiloh

Spanish Club had a field trip on Oct. 21 to celebrate Day of the Dead (Nov. 1-2). The event took place at the Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis. The group learned about the ways of celebrating in Spanish culture and were able to see performances and exhibits. Eight students attended the event alongside advisor Chris Loop. Pictured, left to right: (front row) Maggie Milburn, Kaylee Ruff, Ali Cash and Tayler Hepburn; (back row) Loop, Amaryiah Banda, Kayli Trotter, Emily Milburn and Kaylee Adams.

— Lydia Richardson

Tuscola

Tuscola welcomed Impact Life on Oct. 25 to set up a blood drive available for everyone in the community. With the donations they are able to treat people who are in urgent care and in need.

— Brayden Grough

Unity

Student council members attended the KDASC Halloween Dance last Thursday. Dinner, dancing and haunted hallways were on the agenda as area student councils donated hundreds of dollars to Crisis Nursery. On Saturday, both the girls' and boys' cross-country teams advanced to the state meet and the football team won to reach Round 2 of the playoffs.

— Tatum Meyer

Urbana

Halloween was spooky fun with a trunk or treat, a haunted hallway and a Halloween-themed orchestra concert. Whether you attended all of the events or just one, you could see exactly how much this school of orange and black loves Halloween.

— Eisla Madigan

Villa Grove

Last week, students prepared activities for Day of the Dead in Spanish class. They will be teaching elementary students about the Day of the Dead and what it means. Pictured: Kayci Leith and Logan Lillard.

— Alex Brown

Westville

Industrial arts students applied rocket principles and design, constructed, tested and then launched a water rocket using real-world problem-solving. The activity helped develop STEM skills such as thinking creatively and innovatively that will be an asset in any career field students will enter. Pictured: Devin Gay's fourth-hour students with their water rockets.

— Irelynn Phelps