2023-24 High School Confidential: Week 4
Oct. 19—Want to purchase today's print edition? Here's a map of single-copy locations.
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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.
On to this week's report:
Academy High
Last Tuesday morning, students in the experimental design class hosted members of the Fischer Lab at the University of Illinois. Graduate student Lisa Surber-Cunnigh spoke about the research process used to conduct studies on tadpoles and poison dart frogs. Students also had the opportunity to observe different species of frogs brought in from the lab to get inspiration for their own experiments, which they will be conducting as their final projects this semester.
— Eleanor Laufenberg and Cassie Patten
ALAH
A new club is an opportunity for students to get hands on with their favorite subjects of science. Some different events Science Club (pictured: members and sponsors) participates in are Eco-meet and Envirathon, and they also hold monthly meetings. Today, four members will be heading to Lake Shelbyville for the Eco-meet: left to right, Evanger Wiley, Claire Seal, Brooklyn Matheny and Lilian Edwards.
Arcola
Students celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with a spirit week. They started by wearing red to support the Latino/Hispanic community. Spanish Club and National Art Honor Society also helped out at the community center last Thursday. The week finished off with senior night at the football game as senior cheerleaders, band members and football players were honored before the game. Pictured: Addisyn Ploski, Zachary Klunick and Alex Lugo; Sam Montano; Brevyn Whisman, Brandon Lyons, Quentin Rios, Miaya Brian, Madeline Pilkington, Bailey Hendrix, Kiera Leal, Sarah Gillieaux, Laney Nelson and Noah Nelson; and Cecilia Lozano, Jade Garza, Camila Cantu, Yasmin Rojas, Bianca Arguelles, Elena Garza and Ashley Pullen.
— Bianca Arguelles
Armstrong
Escorted by business instructor Amy Bailey, students in entrepreneurship class visited a business conference put on by Parkland College. There, students learned the basis of entrepreneurship skills. Pictured: Eli Kennel and Gracie Gordon; Clara McCool; and Nathan Rogers
— Eli Kennel
Bement
Student council met and discussed the annual Fannie Mae fundraiser and future events like the angel tree in December and blood drive in February.
— Quinn Flavin
BHRA
The volleyball team played Georgetown-Ridge Farm for their "pink night" game last Thursday. The girls ran through the poster shown above and threw bracelets into the pinked-out student section with breast cancer awareness sayings on them. Raffle tickets, baked goods, 50/50 tickets and breast cancer ribbon tattoos were sold to raise money for a Danville-based breast cancer treatment center. Team members, left to right: (top row) Katie Galbert, Ella McFarland, Addison Wallace, Ella Acton, Ava Acton, Reis McFarland and Draycee Nelson; and (bottom row) Mallory Brines, Kya Stahl, Macy Danner, Aubrey Peters and Eva Ronto. Photos courtesy Kelly Wallace.
— Krislynn Kizer
Blue Ridge
To honor Amy Jamison, a Blue Ridge parent and supporter, the volleyball team held their annual "Pink Out" game. Proceeds went to Amy's fight. Both teams (pictured: Kelly Weiss) wore pink, as did the student section, "The Knightmare." Seniors Cassie Zimmerman, Paige Browning and Phoebe Reynolds presented Amy with flowers.
— Addison Warsaw
Centennial
Even though Unit 4 had no school last Thursday and Friday due to parent-teacher conferences, Centennial and Central's Best Buddies got together to host Freaky Fright Movie Night. They gathered at Tommy Stewart Field to watch "Hocus Pocus," while enjoying hot cocoa, pizza and popcorn! Pictured: Zander Hackman and Andrew Pierce.
— Lydia Shaw
Cerro Gordo
The homecoming theme was "Board Games," students participating in dress-up days throughout the week, including Wednesday's class theme day (freshmen went with "Jumanji," sophmores "Clue," juniors "Battleship" and seniors "Candyland." On Thursday, ag class collected pallets for that night's bonfire attended by students, staff and community members, that included music by choir teacher Christian Wilkey and his wife. Friday's spirit day games included powderpuff, wheelbarrow racing, water-balloon toss and three-legged racing, the seniors coming away with the win. Homecoming court, sports teams and class floats highlighted the parade. At halftime of Friday's football game, the court was introduced, and king and queen were announced: Ian Bettinger and Ali Walker. On Saturday, student council hosted the dance at the school.
— Ali Walker
Champaign Central
In honor of spooky season, Central's Best Buddies chapter collaborated with Centennial to host their Freaky Fright Movie Night last Thursday. Students got cozy with blankets and free popcorn on Tommy Stewart Field to watch "Hocus Pocus." Pictured: Sarah McKendall, Evie Ficek, Darwyn Sly and Abby McKendall; and Marcelo Perry and Bobby Miller.
— Samaira Sandil
Chrisman
Members of the Class of 2026 hosted the annual Ghost Rally on Oct. 14 as 123 cars lined up to participate in an on-the-road spooky scavenger hunt. Pictured: Kristin Phipps, Adaleyn Miller, Bailey Presslor, Leiland Board, Autumn Ellis and Nicole Brown in front of the school ready to kick off the night.
— Grayson Strange
Cissna Park
Last Saturday, Milford/Cissna Park senior football players and cheerleaders were recognized. Cissna Park's Tyler Neukomm and Aubrey Richards were among those honored. Photos courtesy Morgan Sinn.
— Brooklyn Stadeli
Danville
Last Friday, the football team honored former coach John L. Pendleton by attending his funeral, some walking as honorary pallbearers. Mr. Pendleton passed away from pancreatic cancer the Saturday prior. The team surprised football fans Friday night by wearing helmets decorated with his initials (JLP), a purple cancer ribbon and his number when he played for the Vikings (10). The Vikings made the night even more special with a 21-3 win against Peoria Richwoods.
— Isaiah Easton
DeLand-Weldon
Last Wednesday, Tiffany Dirksmeyer returned from maternity leave just in time for the new quarter. Classes she'll be teaching include foods and nutrition and child development. She'll also be helping out with student council.
— Emma Westray
Fisher
On a recent early dismissal day, students were able to sign up for professional-development courses. On days like this, students get the opportunity to choose from different activities provided by the school. A few favorites include going to Elevate, learning how to play handball and learning to make balloon animals. Pictured are students showing their balloon creations, playing the board game "Risk" and paintings students made as an activity.
— Jenna Clemmons
Georgetown-Ridge Farm
Cheer and football honored those battling or who have lost a battle to breast cancer on Saturday. Pictured: junior Nadia Boyd, sophomore Tiffany Taylor, senior Leyla Shelton, freshman Aubriana Jordan, freshman Layla Portis, senior Ashlyn Spesard, senior Libby Wersich, junior Jaiden Stelzer, freshman Jordyn Fourez, senior Claire Renaker and sophomore Peyton McComas.
— Ashlyn Spesard
Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley
Last Monday was the volleyball program's "Pink Game" to bring awareness to breast cancer, and on Tuesday, it was senior night against Heyworth. The football team's senior night was Friday against LeRoy, the Falcons winning the conference championship with an 8-6 win. Finally, the boys' soccer team beat St. Thomas More to advance to the regional championship.
— Rylie Huls
Heritage
Last Tuesday, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America students and the volleyball program hosted their annual "Pink Night." The evening consisted of baskets being raffled off, playing chuck-a-duck with pink ducks, showcasing generous sponsors and watching the volleyball game in pink jerseys. Money raised was donated to the Mills Breast Cancer Institute. Pictured: Lillian Montgomery and Mary Roland getting pumped before the varsity match; Cadyn White, Gwen Happ and Savannah Gilliland wearing pink in the Red Zone; and the JV and varsity volleyball teams in their pink uniforms.
— Lillian Montgomery
Hoopeston Area
Last Tuesday, volleyball hosted their annual "Pink Night" as players and fans wore pink shirts and decorated the gym to support breast cancer awareness. The Cornjerkers beat Armstrong-Potomac in two sets.
— Emmalee Bruens
Judah Christian
Pastors from the area attended the school's annual pastor appreciation event that included lunch, giveaways and worship, along with messages from Blake Porter, Ava Carder and Brad Tate. Pictured (courtesy Lucas Zhao): pastors fellowshipping with one another during the luncheon, as well as Carder sharing her faith story.
— Hannah Jackson
Leroy
Anatomy as well as strength and conditioning classes attended the Body Worlds exhibit at the Peoria Riverfront Museum. Also, business students attended a business and entrepreneurship conference at Parkland College.
— Emily Bogema
Mahomet-Seymour
The Principal's Advisory Council Cabinet Team attended the Josten's Renaissance Global Conference in Springfield last Wednesday that focused on leadership. Gian Paul Gonzalez, who works with the New York Giants, was a guest speaker at the conference. He talked about all things surrounding leadership, told his story and led the students through some various activities. Later on in the day, the staff members who attended with the students broke off into another group while the students played some team-building games. Pictured: Gian Paul Gonzales (left) during a team-building activity with M-S junior Arianna Thompson (far right); and, back row (left to right): Ellis Tira, Sophie Davis, Delaney Shore, Esme Middleton, Yoonsung Cho and Principal Chad Benedict; and front row (left to right): Arianna Thompson, Madelyn Grindley, Olivia Pfeifer and Noora Kassem.
— Maddie Grindley
Milford
Senior nights celebrated the achievements of football players Carson Shields and Gavin Schunke, golfers Gracelin Gregory, Devon Davis and Jace Boyer and volleyball players Schuylar Kunsch, Emma McEwen, Anna McEwen and Hunter Mowrey.
— Hunter Mowrey
Monticello
The journalism team spent the week going back through old yearbooks for ideas to use this year. It also gave them an opportunity to find old high school photos of teachers and substitutes. One of the best finds was a picture of Principal Travis Courson participating in Madrigals his junior year. They are now using these photos to promote buying a yearbook to current students. Pictured: Jose Ocadiz and Annika Wright (second photo); Ashley Stiverson, Alice Swanson, Lynette Fenelon and Liliana Tirey (third photo); and Mr. Courson in Madrigals (first photo).
— Tynley Jackson
Oakland
The FFA chapter had ag sales last Wednesday, having practiced and researched for weeks in preparation for the competition. The team finished first to move on to district competition. Abby Warman, Braden Pardi and Jonika Nickles finished Top 10 individually. Pictured, left to right: Warman, Pardi, Justin Robertson, Nickles and Lucy Krabel.
— Lucy Krabel
Oakwood
At Friday's home football game, football, cheer and band seniors were recognized — a bittersweet and sad night for many. At the three-minute mark of the fourth quarter of what would be a 20-8 loss to Salt Fork, senior cheerleaders cheered by themselves. Among those honored: senior cheerleaders Taylen Wait, Lily Chesnut, Jordyn Cunningham, Darinka Snow and Lacey Lee; football seniors Alec Harrison, Harley Grimm, Zeke Smith and Brayden Williams; and band seniors Luci Morris, Ramona Liggett, Kollin Schrader, Riley Whaling, Lacey Lee and Kadence Edwards-Asmar.
— Lily Chestnut
Paxton-Buckley-Loda
Grace Vance, Catherine Wesslund, Aubree Gooden, Bailey Bruns, Leah Eyre, Brooke Kleinert and Karlee Welp throw out their "Senior Volleyballs" at every home match. The mini volleyballs are decorated with themes, names, nicknames, jersey numbers, funny sayings, sweet notes and other decorations. Each game, they dedicate their ball to someone in the student section, stands or even one of their own teammates or coaches. They do this when they run out, and everyone gets so excited to see who gets the ball and the sentiment it brings.
— Rebecca Lackey
Rantoul
A group of students went to Springfield for a Jostens All In Rally for ideas on how to make school culture better. National Honor Society inducted 24 new members. Anthem choir auditioned to sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" at a University of Illinois athletic event. Finally, concert choir and All Voices performed to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" at last Thursday's Fall Concert.
— Ashlee Freeman
St. Joseph-Ogden
On Friday, it was senior night for fall sports. Pictured: Senior Mitchell Wright walked across the track with his parents, Dan and Anita Wright. Mitchell has played football since his freshman year.
— Mya Bott
St. Thomas More
Student held a diaper drive house competition to donate to Crisis Nursery. Sabers generated over 12,300 diapers that were given to the nursery last week.
— Suhani Garg
Salt Fork
The Oakwood/Salt Fork boys' soccer team finished the regular season strong by winning the Vermilion Valley Conference championship. Sophomore Ethan Merritt set the single-season goal record, and Macen Phillips tied Grant Powell's single-season assist record.
— Macie Russell
Schlarman
Girls' tennis team standout Maya Jenny qualified for state for a fourth consecutive season.
— Anna Lehmann
Shiloh
E-Sports, a new club, is going to be offered to students in junior high and high school. The adviser for the junior high is Noah Allen, and high school adviser is Tim Carroll. The club allows students to participate in playing games such as Super Mario Bros. Students are excited to compete in tournaments with other schools in the division.
— Lydia Richardson
Tuscola
National Honor Society will be participating in the Halloween Boo Bash Drive by for some fun trunk-or-treating.
— Brayden Gough
Uni High
Last Thursday, the cross-country teams finished the regular season at the Heritage High meet, where the JV put their efforts on full display as the varsity team was back in Urbana for a workout prior to the state series. Pictured: Collins Rosch and Tessa Waldhoff.
— Knox Mynatt
Unity
Volleyball held their "Pink Out" match against Pontiac last Thursday. The game was played in honor of Unity alumnus and mother Wendy Gooch, who lost her battle with breast cancer last summer. Playing in Wendy's honor, the Rockets won all three games and — best of all — raised money for the Mills Breast Cancer Institute with a 50/50, bake sale, silent auction and donations at the all-pink selfie station.
— Tatum Meyer
Urbana
On Friday, AP environmental science students led by Alex Riley had an in-class field trip: an environmental discussion to propose development of the empty grass plot across from the school. The students wrote reports and designed sustainable alternative uses of the land. "This project allowed for us to explore realistic studies that would be involved in everyday environments," said Lucas Pankau, a student who participated in the project.
— Eisla Madigan
Villa Grove
The junior high and high school dance teams came together at Friday's Fight Like A Blue Devil assembly for a photo of them holding a check to be presented to the Mills Breast Cancer Institute. The impressive amount raised: $5,637.18.
— Alex Brown
Westville
Chorus and band joined forces to produce a night of "Music of the Masters." The chorus — led by Ellen Howie — rocked out to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" and "Will You Be There." The Pride of the Tigers marching band — led by Melissa Pinter — paid homage to John Williams, performing pieces from Star Wars/Raiders March, Jurassic Park/Lost World and Jaws/Superman. Pictured: soloist Olivia Hutchins; and alto saxophonists, left to right, Ethan Brown, Grayson Williams and Layden Fox.
— Irelynn Phelps
