2023-24 High School Confidential: Week 12
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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
The Academy High Rock Band held its end-of-semester concert at The Space in downtown Champaign. The band, made up of eight members, rocked a seven-song setlist to an audience of teachers, students and family members. The concert was opened by the Academy High Jazz Band, a four-member group who performed jazz renditions of Christmas songs, and Peoria's Emily The Band. Pictured (courtesy Mike Ingram, Sarah Laufenberg and Tracie Patten): Breanna Patten, Tyler Ingerson, Emma Rypka, Eli Hess, Jamari Story, Eleanor Laufenberg, Cassie Patten, Porter Milling and Corban Eagles.
— Eleanor Laufenberg and Cassie Patten
ALAH
Senior Claire Seal, scored her 1,000 career point against host Shelbyville on her way to setting school records for career points and rebounds.
Arcola
Last week started with two basketball games on the same night, the boys' and girls' teams hosting Windsor Stewardson-Strasburg in a spirit-filled gym with cheerleaders, pep band and student section cheering on the Riders. Last Thursday, the student section wore their favorite sports jerseys at the girls' basketball game against Sullivan. On Friday, the high school celebrated Christmas early with its yearly tradition of a huge gift raffle. Many students got to return home with fun gifts, like a new bike and PS5.
— Bianca Arguelles
Armstrong
Homecoming Week, put on by student council and run by Margie Ashcraft, started off on Monday with dressup days through Friday. Daily games like tug of war, musical chairs and dodgeball had classes competing against each other. At the end of the assembly, each class would compete for the Trojan Spirit Stick that the school so greatly worships and got to keep it for the day. On Wednesday, student council hosted the First Annual Iron-Man Volleyball Tournament where the boys make teams from each class and the volleyball girls coach. The tournament was able to bring in $670 through raffle tickets, admissions and a bake sale that went to Gateway Family Services to raise money for mental health and awareness. The freshmen won the volleyball tournament and went on to play the staff team and lost miserably. On Friday, the school had its Spirit Day where students made signs for their class and dressed in their best Trojan attire while spending money on noise makers and confetti poppers. The cheerleading squad showed off their amazing skills by debuting their homecoming dance routine. The senior Class of '24 remained victorious by winning the spirit stick for the year. The week finished with a disco-themed dance the included mirror balls and blue lights illuminating the gym. Eli Kennel and Gracie Gordon won homecoming king and queen. Pictured: Kassidy O'Brien; Christine Bailey and Madison Johnson; Kayla Crull, Mia Carpenter, Kennedy Gerth, Clara McCool, Brynn Spencer, Shavonna Turner, Gracie Gordon, Eli Kennel, Bowen Hesterberg, Cooper McCarty, Landon Freeman, Colton Murphy, Emmet Cler and Ryan Edwards; Gordon and Kennel.
— Eli Kennel
Bement
The band participated in the Bement Christmas Parade, playing and singing "Jazzle Bells" to help the town get in the holiday spirit. Pictured: (first row) Tyce Alumbaugh, Noah Flach; (second row) Bailey Blythe, Paul Wright; (third row) Kiana Hunter; (fourth row) Gabby Block, Ella Corum, Peyton Alblinger; (fifth row); Addie Roberts, Quinn Flavin; and (sixth row) Lilyan Harper and Mackenzie Roberts.
— Quinn Flavin
BHRA
Art club made a trip to the Bismarck-Henning Elementary School last Friday to do some fun Christmas arts and crafts with the grade schoolers. Each grade did a different project, including making a Christmas tree and drawing a decorated hot cocoa mug. It was an all day event with different art students going at different times. Photos courtesy Katie Post.
— Krislynn Kizer
Blue Ridge
FFA's conduct of chapter meeting team placed first overall, with Drake Hardesty placing first overall as president as well as receiving the highest score in the event. Raeanna Miller also received first overall floor member. Pictured (courtesy Jacalyn Meisner) left to right: (back row) Tyler Holtz, Shawn Christie Hardesty; (front row) Addie Browning, Miller, Kelly Weiss and Cheyanne Smith.
— Addison Warsaw
Centennial
The Artisan Craft Fair, which started with a small group of teachers in the science department, gained the attention of over 200 people last year. This year, there are over 58 different vendors ranging from school clubs to community members. Crafts, homemade goods and refreshments were being sold as well as three food trucks outside. Tara Starling, one of the teachers who helped coordinate this year's event, has hopes of this becoming a huge event, and possibly even connecting with Central High School. Thanks to Starling, Farwah Tariq and Debra Bowers for making this event possible.
— Lydia Shaw
Champaign Central
Last week, the Fine Arts department held a winter concert for concert choir (on the stands), concert orchestra (dressed in white) and chamber orchestra (dressed in black). The students performed 13 pieces in Decker Theatre with the guidance of accompanist Simon Tiffin, choir director Ann Marie Morrissette and orchestra directors Jennifer and John Currey.
— Samaira Sandil
Chrisman
Students participated in two exciting educational activities. Firs, Foods 1 students took a trip to Harvest Market in Champaign where they had the opportunity to tour the store, sample new foods and make purchases. Secondly, STEM Club members hosted the annual STEM Fair at Chrisman Elementary School. Members worked individually or in pairs to come up with stimulating science activities for elementary students to observe and take part in. Pictured: club sponsor Jennifer Lorton and chaperone Joe Sushinski.
— Grayson Strange
Cissna Park
Students hosted their Madrigal performance on Friday. There was a meal served as the Madrigals sang for their king and queen. It was a wonderful night and the community thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Photos by Gail Lober.
— Brooklyn Stadeli
Danville
Last week at St. James United Methodist Church, the Madrigal Singers took part in three nights of performance dinners in celebration of Christmastime. The group — now in Year 49 — performs throughout December, singing "madrigals" — a form of secular vocal music most typical of the Renaissance and early Baroque periods of western music. Stay tuned next year for the 50th anniversary of the group, which promises even more nostalgic nuances.
— Isaiah Easton
DeLand-Weldon
Last week, Tiffany Dirksmeyer's foods and advanced foods classes went on a field trip to three grocery stores, filling out worksheets with prices of items. They compared the prices of the name brand and store brand products, and also compared prices between stores.
— Emma Westray
Fisher
Beginning last year, the special education program opened "Bunnie's Bistro and Brew" which serves different items to students before school. Their menu includes flavored coffee, iced tea, hot chocolate and different breakfast items. Proceeds go back into different funds for the program. Along with working in the bistro, students go around and deliver coffee orders to teachers throughout the morning. Pictured: Amy Paris, Dustin Sears and Jordan Williams.
— Jenna Clemmons
Georgetown-Ridge Farm
Choir and National Honor Society students volunteered their time and helped serve as the school's annual senior citizen Christmas lunch. Thanks to generous donations, there were lots of door prizes raffled off this year.
— Ashlyn Spesard
Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley
The community came together to support 2014 graduate Emily Young, who was diagnosed with Friedreich's ataxia disease. She is not known for her disease but for her positive attitude and impact she leaves on everyone. Ahead of the boys' basketball game on Friday, she was presented a $10,000 check for Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance, an organization raising awareness and researching the disease. Fundraising took place all week for Emily. (Photos courtesy Sarah Chase).
— Rylie Huls
Heritage
National Honor Society, FFA, student council and Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America students joined together for a food drive for the school to participate in. The goal was to collect at least 350 items whether it be pasta, snacks, canned goods, etc. After weeks of collecting, a total of 671 items were donated on Dec. 8. Pictured (courtesy Christine Campos): Seniors counting donated items.
— Lillian Montgomery
Hoopeston Area
Four seniors visited fifth-grade students for their weekly D.A.R.E. lesson. The students had the opportunity to ask questions about middle school, high school and more. Left to right: Anna Anderson, Emmalee Bruens, Wyatt Eisenmann and Owen Root.
— Emmalee Bruens
Judah Christian
Christmas Spirit Week allowed students to take their mind off impending finals but to also raise money for a good cause. Christmas pajama-themed days with snacks and karaoke incentivized students to donate money to the Cunningham Children's Home with the prize of student council members getting pied in the face. At the end of Friday, all the money was collected and presented during the Reindeer Games, a lighthearted period of "minute to win it" competitions. Pictured: students singing karaoke at lunch, the Reindeer Games, the presentation of the money collected, and student council representatives after being pied by their parents.
— Hannah Jackson
Mahomet-Seymour
Madrigals had their big performances last weekend, holding dinner performances on Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. The performances were the same — the only difference was the amount of food served, as some of the nights had dessert included as well. This talented group of students not only sang several holiday songs but also danced and enjoyed themselves while surrounded by many loved ones who purchased tickets for the events. A group of recorder players, Madrigal Brass, and other chorus students also took part as the waiters, waitresses and kitchen staff.
— Maddie Grindley
Milford
National Honor Society members decorated stockings for residents at Iroquois Resident Home in Watseka. Pictured: Mady Bennett.
— Hunter Mowrey
Monticello
A total of 17 high school students (front row: Lynnsey Trybom, Tynley Jackson, Louisa Rudolph, Trey Welter and Dylan Brown; second row: Megan Heistand, Vidhi Patel, Sylvie Harvey, Kylie Cherry and Alaric Fulton; third row: Jacob Long, Rylan Good and Wyatt Vaughan; back row: Ryder Schwoerer, Evan Henrard, Charlie Dill and Kelton German) received the news that they were Illinois State Scholars. This achievement is based on a combination of class rank, grade-point average and standardized test scores.
— Tynley Jackson
Oakwood
Anatomy class created life-sized skeletons with the names of all the different bones of the body. Students were required to draw each bone as close as they could to the real shapes. They were all color—coded, and some were even decorated for Christmas.
— Lily Chesnut
Paxton-Buckley-Loda
Last Tuesday, multiple FFA members worked the boys' basketball junior varsity and varsity home games in support of Angel Tree, which is an organization that helps many families in need during the holiday season. FFA members made posters and signs and set out donation jars. They had a table set up in the lobby and held a halfshot court contest. Students paid for shots and first one to win got a free T-shirt. FFA also did it at a girls' basketball game on Nov. 30. Enough funds were donated to help out a handful of children. Pictured: Karley Putnam, Rebecca Lackey, Triton Curtis and Kaiden Wilson; and president Lackey and vice president Putnam.
— Rebecca Lackey
Rantoul
Madrigals held their dinners on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, serving meals, selling tickets and performing songs. Cheer had a competition at Marian Catholic and qualified for the championships on Jan. 6.
— Ashlee Freeman
St. Thomas More
Sabers rang in the Christmas season with their annual Madrigals performance last weekend. Also celebrated: senior and Queen of the Madrigals, Kate McMillan.
— Suhani Garg
Salt Fork
The cheer team placed third at Sunday's Boilermaker Classic at Bradley-Bourbonnais, advancing to state later this season. Squad members include Callaway Cox, Bricelynn Keeran, Brenna Boyd, Lilly Rickgauer, Bailey Schmidt, Ava Benjamin, Lanier Birge, Jordan Colby, Braelyn Henthorn, Belle Torbit, Brynn Childs, Kenzie Cook and Payton Cox. Coaches include Courtney Darr and Lindsay Keller.
— Macie Russell
Schlarman
Winter Spirit Week included many dressup days, fundraisers for various organizations in our community and performances by the Topettes and twirler Evy Kelsey. Pictured, left to right: (back row) Bailey Perez-Robinson, Harper O'Brien, Reagan Troglia, Gayle Clayton and Kelsey; (front row) Emily Lancaster, Cooper Wilson and Elise Hunter.
— Anna Lehmann
Shiloh
National Honor Society induction was held Dec. 6 in the gym. Advisors Amy McClain and Penny Krabel welcomed new inductees with the help of existing members. President Emily Milburn and vice president Shaylun Christenberry spoke about the values that uphold the organization. Family and community attended and members enjoyed a treat after the ceremony. Pictured, left to right: (front row) Macy Keys, Christenberry, Kennedy Brown and Lily Brown; (back row) Lydia Richardson, Kayli Trotter, Lily North, Levi Eads, Grant North, Garrett Pollock, Andy Houlihan and Jack Houlihan.
— Lydia Richardson
Tuscola
Mr. and Mrs. Claus — Principal Justin Bozarth and English teacher Christy Hoel — stopped by to throw a fun afternoon surprise for the school. The afternoon consisted of various competitions. A few were wrapping odd shaped items, building gingerbread houses and tug of war.
— Brayden Gough
Unity
Student council and FFA got together to write Christmas cards for senior citizens. Afterward, they had their annual joint Christmas celebration which included pizza, games and ice skating at the UI Ice Arena. Pictured: Evelyn Albaugh, Molly Baxley, Sophia Hartke, Ginna Stierwalt and Anna Amias.
— Tatum Meyer
Urbana
The annual German class gingerbread house contest came to a sweet close, students celebrating the custom by making all kinds of beautiful architecture (even a lemonade stand!). Pictured, left to right: Colin Guth, Gwen McClain, Ananyah Tangmunarunkit and Kai Hall.
— Eisla Madigan
Villa Grove
Anatomy students, under the direction of teacher Linda Werts, performed a lab to examine how senses work with the brain. Pictured, left to right: Logan Lillard and Alison Pangburn; and Noah Wilcoxon, Layne Rund and Kyler Williams.
— Alexandria Brown
Westville
Randy Hird's Illinois History class invited Mac Allen of Danville to speak to the class about his growing up in a coal mining camp in Sturgis, Ky., in the 1950s. Allen spoke of his father, C.S. Allen, and the camaraderie with his fellow miners; of the cave-in at Camp 1 which left 40-plus miners dead; of the canaries and rats in shaft mines; and of his journey to Vermilion County.
— Olivia Troglia
