2024-25 High School Confidential: Week 18

Yahoo

20-02-2025

Feb. 20—Welcome to Year 9 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 .
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 .
On to this week's report ...
Three students were recognized for their achievements in the 21st CLASS National Essay Contest: Brady Tseng, Esti Ellis and Shivani Anand. The competition highlights written Chinese proficiency, creativity and overall understanding of the language from students across the United States. Also, this week's global-studies class learned how to debate and think like a country. They focused on the European Union and addressed larger issues and how their assigned country would be impacted by it. Pictured: Hannah Walker and Hayden Jenks.
At this year's Winter Follies, the atmosphere was electric as students and staff filled the gym, eager to see the talent their peers had been preparing for weeks. From singers and actors to dancers and lip-syncers, the stage was alive with diverse performances. With 10 acts in total, the competition was fierce, but in the end, it was a group of junior performers, The TrebleMakers, who took home the title as champions. Pictured: Cruz Hale, Peyton Warrior, Kamden Morfey, Easton Frederick, August Burton, Trey Strode and Cash Hale.
Argenta-Oreana hosted a sixth-grade volleyball tournament on Saturday, the sixth-grade team taking home the first-place trophy after winning in three sets against Warrensburg in the championship match. The team, coached by Christina Field, worked very well together.
On Friday, the high school hosted its annual blood drive. The event was run by student council and had one of the largest turnout of donors in years. A total of 15 students donated, as did five staff members and two more people from the community.
Students were encouraged to wear red for Valentine's Day, the blood drive and the final day of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America Week, whose club colors are red and white. Pictured: sophomore Claire Loftus and junior Ariel Ponce.
Ponce said she passed out but was glad she donated anyway, "because I knew that by doing it, I'd be helping someone else who needs it," she said. "Not only that, but it would help us reach our goal to hopefully give a senior a scholarship."
On Feb. 4, students received the opportunity to participate in the Academic Challenge and won first place at regionals in the Under 700 Division. The students on the team included Kaemyn Brown, Leo Vera, Riker Huffman, Lukas Cothran, Michael Wease, Emma Pasquale, Ella Tutwiler and Addisen Hensold. The students were hand-picked by teachers because of their academic performances. Brown received first in chemistry, and Cothran won third place in physics. Both students also tied for second in mathematics. Vera got first place in both computer science and engineering graphics. Huffman received second in engineering and third place in computer science. Wease won third place in chemistry and also tested in biology. Pasquale got first place in physics and also tested in chemistry. Tutwiller tested in chemistry and English, while Hensold tested in biology and English.
Student council members (pictured: Joey Cole and Ellie Schlieper) played Cupid. Students had the chance to buy a "Crush for their crush," and they were delivered Feb. 12 by student council.
Girls' basketball celebrated Senior Night on Feb. 10, the Broncos putting up a good fight in a loss to Argenta-Oreana. To honor seniors Bailey Walter and Gabby Block, the team decorated hallways, the gym and the locker room with posters, streamers and balloons, making it a special night for them to remember.
For Valentine's Day, members of Drama Club gathered for their annual cookie-decorating party. Organized by Head of Socials Brady Hong, the event was enjoyed by many students, each decorating sugar cookies with icing, M&Ms and sprinkles.
FFA chapter members competed in the Illinois Section 18 FFA Proficiency Award Interviews. First-place finishers advanced to the District 4 competition in March and included: Autumn Ellis (goat production), Gage Tingley (landscape installation), Lyndsi Smith (outdoor recreation), Dylan Lucas (poultry production), Remi Laughead (small-animal production), Morgan Simpson (specialty animal), Seth Ellis (specialty-crop production) and Hayden Spesard (swine production). Statler Mitchell placed second in turfgrass managemen. Members are also gearing up for FFA Week activities that were rescheduled due to the cold. Pork Burger Lunch will be on Monday, and Barnyard Day will be open to the public from 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Chrisman HS Ag Shop. Pictured: Spesard, Autumn Ellis and Laughead.
The boys' and girls' basketball teams celebrated Senior Nights against Watseka. The girls celebrated Autumn Reutter and Julia Edelman's final night on the court by decorating the gym and recognizing both players for their accomplishments throughout high school. On the boys' side, Colson Carley, who passed away last fall, was honored. Cissna Park and Watseka players wore special warmups in honor of Colson.
Show Choir showed out during its first competition of the season. They won Grand Champions in their division, with seniors Gavin Baugh and Andrea Downing winning awards of their own for soloist performance. The performances were amazing, and it brought a great kickstart to their season. Photos courtesy Brooklyn Warfield and Kendall Rannebarger.
Isabel Dunsmore's high school art classes made props and backgrounds for the school's upcoming rendition of "The Little Mermaid." They've been using cardboard and paper mache to make sea creatures, boats and more deep-sea-themed props. Pictured: Dominick Keith.
The Academic Challenge Team traveled to Heritage High to compete at regionals last Thursday, taking first place overall with many individuals placing.
The Academic Challenge Team competed at Danville Area Community College — finishing in second place — and also advanced to sectionals at Eastern Illinois University. Individually, several students placed, including: Silas Shirley (third place in computer science), Jackson Forrest (first in computer science), Cale Cavanaugh (first in engineering graphics) and Spencer Ray (first in English). Pictured, left to right: Caleb Holycross, Owen Clark, Cale Cavanaugh, Liz Walls, Jackson Forest, Ruby Fraser-Soule, Spencer Ray, Julia Copier, Autumn Warner, Kayne Morgan, Silas Shirley, Malorie Feggett and Maddy Digby.
Girls' basketball celebrated Senior Night against Prairie Central with a win. Seniors announced before the game included Lizzie Giroux, Anna Warren, Sophia Ray, Addison Kerchenfaut and Mallory Rosendahl. On Thursday, the Falcons beat Tri-Valley to win the HOIC traveling trophy. The boys' basketball team also had Senior Night against Tri-Valley with 10 players who stuck with it all four years: Matt Allen, Paul Baillie, Carter Eichelberger, Brayden Elliot, Spencer Kleist, Hunter Martin, Shaun Hyatt, Austin Kasper, Gaines Parsons and Ryker Grauer. In wrestling, five advanced to state: Avery Schlickman, Landen Lage, Nolan Lowe, Hunter Brandon and Hudson Babb.
The school's SAR and DAR recipients — Loran Tate and Brennan Struck — were recognized at a luncheon at the Champaign Country Club. Tate also won a scholarship.
Standout basketball players and seniors (left to right) Brylie Cox, Claire Dixon and Maddie Barnes were honored Feb. 10 on Senior Night. The team, along with the seniors who have played all four years, took down the Georgetown-Ridge Farm Buffaloes, 56-30. Barnes said: "It was emotional, last time on your home court is a time you won't forget. I'm glad the last time on our home court was a win." On Friday, boys' basketball seniors Dylan Judy, Trenton Montez, Jaquan Lewis and Zachary Ballard were honored. They dressed the part as well by participating in the "Hawaiian Night" theme, also beating G-RF. Judy said: "It felt crazy knowing that was our last regular-season home game." Photos courtesy Ginger Gonzalez.
FFA sent five members to participate in state degree interviews last week. Congratulations to Chloe Wagner, Ben Schleef, Garret Tammen, Owen Pree and Beau Howe for advancing to the next level of getting their degree.
Last Thursday, on Flanagan's Senior Night, junior Sam Edmundson scored his 1,000th career varsity point. Edmundson is a three-year varsity player and has been team captain the past two years. He is a key player for the Panthers. His ability to score from anywhere on the court is one of many highlights Edmundson brings to the team. Later in the same game, Flanagan junior Logan Ruddy also scored his 1,000th career point — quite the night for both players. Ultimately, LeRoy won 56-50.
For the first time under coach Clint Liefer, the eighth-grade boys' basketball team advanced to state. It marked the school's first trip to state since 2011, when current assistant coach Wade Fox and Co. went back to back as both seventh- and eighth-graders. "Those happened to also be my first two years of teaching and coaching as an assistant under Sid Allen and Bob Lueke," Liefer said. "It seemed like this was just a way of life, every season would end up in a trip to state, but I quickly learned better." Milford beat Normal Metcalf in the sectional finals. "The hoopla around advancing to state has been palpable. You can feel the excitement as you walk down the hallways of MGS." Pictured (left to right, back to front): coach Clint Liefer, Evan Havens, Liam Nimz, Brayden Reed, Jackson Lavicka, Coby Brown, Maddox Muehling, Sam Mann, Ryder Lucht, coach Dexter Cheever, Yi Brittenham, Hagen Hoaks, Bentley Walwer, Joey Bushnell and Isaak Cabralas.
Spanish Club, Rotary Interact Club and FACS Club worked to spread the love in honor of Valentine's Day. Members of Spanish Club and Rotary Interact Club joined forces. They wrote and hand-colored cards for veterans. FACS Club created Valentine's Day cards as well, which they delivered to Piatt County Nursing Home residents. Members of all three clubs worked hard to celebrate and give back to the community in a positive way. Pictured (courtesy Rory Cooper and Annie Robinson): Lilly Bradley, Audrey Shore, Suzie Nichols and Olivia Nichols.
The Student of the Month for February was Caden Logan, a standout senior athlete and honor-roll student. Recognized for his hard work and dedication, he will attend this month's Chamber of Commerce meeting as well as receive a Student of the Month parking spot.
On Saturday, student council sponsored a Daddy Daughter Dance for grade-school students for the first time in 10 years. Teegan and John Pierce, Hadley and Kent Ray, Haizlynn and Phillip Church and around 100 more families attended the dance.
Scholastic Bowl competed in its conference tournament on Saturday. They prepared for this by having a warmup competition a few days before the big day, going 3-0. Left to right: Grace Hughes, Rolen Edison, Elizabeth Megson, Jerilyn Dunlavey and Samantha Hewerdine.
Senior Night for girls' basketball and pep band was celebrated last Thursday — with boys' basketball Senior Night on tap.
The dance team competed at IDTA state in Springfield on Saturday, taking home first place for both their jazz and lyrical routines. In addition, senior soloists Reese Wheatley and Olivia Getty advanced to the final round and earned third and fifth place. SJ-O was recognized as the Grand Champion (1A division) for the first time in school history. Pictured: (front) Hadley McDonald, Olivia Getty, Wheatley, Gracyn Sjoken and Abby Getty; and (back) coach Alyssa Hudson, Lilyah Jones, Lilly Sollars, Ava Gallo, Abigail Bello, Alivia Learned and coach Kaitlyn Hess.
Love was in the air last week as student council sponsored and sold Valentine's Day grams in the days leading up to Friday. Members sold them during lunch and then put together the grams during RTI. On Friday, the four senior officers — Alexa Jamison, Callaway Cox, Brenna Boyd and Ava Ridge — went around the school with junior Kade Smith, who was dressed up as Cupid, and delivered them to students. Student council also made a video to get everyone in the Valentine's Day spirit.
Homecoming — known at Shiloh as Winterfest — was hosted by student council from Feb. 10-15. The organization is in charge of games, decorations, dance committees, plywood competitions, hallways and raising money throughout the week. This year's theme was "Under the Sea," which included dress-up days such as "Coral Reef" (neon), "Rhyme Without Reason" and "Generation Day." All classes in the high school participated, and a walk-in and dance was held Saturday. The senior court: (Queen) Lily Brown, Lily North and Shaylun Christenberry; and (King) Garrett Pollock, Grant North and Andy Houlihan. Adviser of the student council Dorene Boland has become a veteran in making the week run smoothly. Pictured (via Taylor Williams), left to right: senior Hunter Thompson; sophomores Payton Scott, Wyatt Ash, Joe Hendricks, Ryder Johnson and Chloe Thompson; sixth-graders Gwen Garwood; and sophomores Ahylssa Garwood, Tayler Hepburn, Keisha Budd, Kennedy Richardson and Zoey Shreeves.
National Elementary Honor Society members put up hearts on the lockers of students and rooms of teachers last week for Valentine's Day. Members were randomly assigned around six different lockers and/or classrooms, and they wrote the individual's name on their locker and room.
A group of students from Uni's Sprabitat (Spring + Habitat) Club drove to Clarksdale, Miss., to help build for the Fuller Center for Housing. The group of 22 students and five teachers worked on a foundation, shed, roof and more and volunteered at different organizations to support local kids. The group also visited museums and saw the sights in Clarksdale and Memphis, Tenn. Pictured: Amelie Dall'erba, Marina Bowers-Wong, Andy Wilson, Cate Feinen and Lena Miller on a roof; Cali Cooper and Sarisa Chansilp working on the shed; and Henry Wang with his power saw.
The dance team continued its tradition of excellence, securing a third-place finish at state last weekend. The Rockets competed in 2A Hip Hop in the Illinois Drill Team Association (IDTA) and Class 1A in IHSA Dance. Their routine this year, themed "Time," was brought to life through dynamic stunts, movement and music selection. The Rockets had an outstanding season in IDTA, winning first place at every regional competition they attended. Their impressive performances earned them a spot at state during their second competition of the season in Charleston. The team is composed of eight dancers: (left to right) Taylor Daly, Ella Darnall, Genevieve Latham, Faith Lampe, Kathryn Knoll, Madison Spohn, Vanna Schriefer and Olivia Egelston, along with coaches Madeline Mancuso and Briget Toney. It's Mancuso's fifth season as head coach, during which she has led the team to an IDTA State Championship title and two IHSA State Series appearances.
Getting into the spirit of love with a fundraiser for Valentine's Day: Senior Tony-Han Fisher sold chocolate-covered strawberries for her youth group; the Royal Diamonds Step and Dance team sold candy; and the Rosemary yearbook staff, including Muleiya Prum and Trinity Dickens (pictured), sold Strawberry Crush cans.
Senior night for girls' basketball was last Tuesday and boys' basketball last Wednesday. On Friday, the school gathered in the gym to celebrate the dance teams going to state. The junior high and high school teams performed, as well as a special dance performance from the boys.
Continuing a Valentine's Day tradition, the junior varsity boys' basketball team made valentines with kids at the Watseka Public Library.
The Classes of 2027 and 2028 hosted the Snowball Dance of 2025. The money from the dance went to support our local food pantries. Games, DJ Sollars, snacks and beverages made the night a huge success.