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Welcome to Year 7 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
Students and faculty are preparing for the spring open house on Sunday (4:30-6 p.m.). Students enjoy getting to meet and talk with prospective students at the event.
— Rosie Atkinson
ALAH
Many additional aspects have been added to the gym to elevate the players' and fans' experience: new scoreboards, video boards, signs and decals. Senior Kailee Otto, a basketball and softball player, said: “Having these additions to our gym has made my senior basketball season stronger, and I can’t wait to see the progression made next.” Also, the broadcasting class, taught by Doug David, made hype videos for each senior basketball player. The improvements were funded through corporate scholarships, including places like CHI and Kirby Medical.
— Jacob Adcock
Arcola
The girls' basketball team secured a hard-earned double-overtie victory against ALAH at the Lincoln Prairie Conference tournament in Cumberland. Senior Eva Hopkins scored a career-high 15 points in Arcola’s first victory against the Knights since 2015. Pictured: Coach Corey Roberts rests easy after the closer win; teammates Kelsey Moore, Jacey Kessler, Makenzie Thomas and Crystal Ramirez cheer on Hopkins as she shoots free throws.
— Karina Warfel
Armstrong
Monday night was awesome for the Trojans as Kyla Bullington reached 1,000 career points and many people came to support a fundraiser for a local family battling leukemia. The girls' basketball team put on a bake sale and a 50/50 raffle and raised over $1,100 for the family. Hoopeston Area also played a part, wearing orange ribbons, warmups and shirts.
— Gigi Mulvaney
Bement
Cast members of the high school play “10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse,” directed by Becky Schaefer, rehearse the script. Pictured, left to right: Parker Summers, Kade Alumbaugh and Mackenzie Roberts. The play takes the stage on March 31.
— Emily Parrish
BHRA
Students in Jennifer Guminski’s social studies classes attended the Vermilion County Youth Conference, which was held for the first time by Danville High School’s Future Problem Solvers. Students from high schools throughout the county were separated into several groups and visited various tables where they would have a discussion with a speaker who had a background in either education, politics or was a notable person in the community. The topics focused on education, mental health, housing complications and employment. Guminski’s students were able to express their opinions on these issues and hear the opinions of others. Students in attendance included: Amanda Brown, Amber-Christine Reed, Cody Drake, Ella Smalley, Josh Gernand and Maci Long.
— Cody Drake
Cerro Gordo
On Friday, auditions were held for "Bugsy Malone," directed by retired music teacher Pamella Grohman and her daughter, elementary school teacher Heather Grohman. It is a 1920s mobster comedy with a war between two gangs — but the gangs are made up entirely of children. It tells the story of Bugsy Malone and Blousy Brown, and the plot revolves around the rivalry between Fat Sam and Dandy Dan’s gangs. Pictured: band director Wil Pritchard, who is helping with the production.
— Hannah Copeland
Champaign Central
Friday's Art Club bi-weekly meeting started with an agenda given by secretary Erin Patton. Then students got to work painting miniature canvases. They were given the option to either use a fresh canvas or, if they were feeling bold, add their own touches to already used canvases. Pictured: a tiny landscape made by student Zoe Lindgren; a mini masterpiece by Art Club President Gen Martin; a petite geometric painting; and my (unfinished) attempt to add gourds to a used canvas.
— Janani Pattabi
Chrisman
Homecoming week finished off with a win for the seniors between the hallway contest, poster contest, class games and dress-up days. Levi Crawford and Ellie Lorton were crowned homecoming king and queen. The boys' basketball team won its homecoming game, and cheerleaders wore uniforms from previous years to continue the homecoming traditions. The dance was held on Saturday with the theme “Under the Sea.”
— Reese Anderson
Cissna Park
The girls’ basketball team attended Sunday's Illini-Michigan State women's game at State Farm Center. The trip included a tour of the stadium: going through the home and away run-out tunnels, stepping onto the floor and the Hall of Fame. The girls enjoyed the win and got to get a picture with Illini star Makira Cook.
— Mikayla Cook
Danville
The speech team competed in last weekend's Mahomet-Seymour tournament. Junior Isaac Carter and senior Anistyn Coleman placed second in Humorous Duet Acting. Carter also placed fifth in Humorous Interpretation. Sophomore Lynn Leik placed seventh in Prose Reading. The entire team moves on next week to the IHSA regional at Chatham Glenwood High.
— Josie Hotsinpiller
DeLand-Weldon
The boys' basketball team and cheerleaders had the honor of recognizing armed forces at Greenview High School on Friday night. The two schools held the flag in solidarity during the national anthem.
— Abigail Trimble
Fisher
Physics students finished off their drone unit. The cafeteria was turned into an obstacle course by students to see the drones put to the test. Pictured: Carter Dickey, Jordan Claxton and Cyrus Young; and Dylan Zwilling.
— Emma McFarling
Georgetown Ridge-Farm
Seniors Justice Clark, Abbigale Finley, Aubrey Roberson, Autumn Roberson and Chelsea Johnson mingled with Leroy — a yak from Savannah Ridge Farms — during a Future Farmers of America event at the school in Georgetown. The FFA program at G-RF is thriving with 168 students involved. "The students had a great experience," Buffaloes Principal Kevin Thomas said. "They were pleasantly surprised at Leroy’s friendly demeanor."
— Izabella Wills
Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley
Seniors Kaden Borders, Gavin Williams, Logan Wilfong, Joseph Santibanez, Connor Ray and Kallen Robertson took advantage of last week’s sensationally snowy weather. After their wintry day at school, the boys jumped into some snow-filled fun to build a snowman.
— Katie Steidinger
Heritage
Last Tuesday, Jessica Sands from the Ogden branch of Longview Bank visited the senior class. Sands talked to students about the benefits of community banking and to help with scholarship essays. The scholarship: $500 to a senior with the best essay answering whether they prefer community banking or digital banking. Sands brought gifts for the students, either a windshield scraper or a pair of sunglasses.
— Katelyn Learned
Hoopeston Area
New members of the school’s Hall of Fame were inducted during a recent boys' basketball game. Inductees include: Barney Kirts, Donald Warner, Ernie Linares, Jon Drollinger, Kristi (Shaffer) Phillips, Kristin McBride, Lauren (Houmes) Leigh, Lowell Hall, Mark Swim (pictured) and Rich Stipp. Brielle Crose signed to play volleyball at Lake Land College in Mattoon.
— Emma Rayls
Iroquois West
At last Friday's assembly featuring comedy hypnotist Jeff Harpring, 20 students volunteered to be hypnotized, in which they were told to play an instrument, smell the person next to them, laugh uncontrollably and fall into a deep sleep. Students and staff were equally impressed with the performance, as some students appeared to fall deeply into the trance.
— Calli Kraft
Judah Christian
Thursdays mean chapel days at school. The worship team is led by Dirk Miller. Also pictured: Ali McGuffin, Leila Kennedy, Eleni Krall, Braden Laird and Bradley Lacine.
— Bethany Jackson
LeRoy
The wrestling team, a co-op with Tri-Valley, won in the Heart of Illinois Conference tournament on Saturday, finishing the regular season with a record of 24-1. The Panthers will host regionals at Dud Berry Gym at 9 a.m. Saturday.
— Lily Monigold
Mahomet-Seymour
Intramural basketball gives students who don’t play on the high school team a chance to play the sport. Students practice a few times before the season: five or six games against other intramural teams (photos courtesy Elle Hubble).
— Maddie Grindley
Milford
Students participated in an outreach day as speakers from Iroquois Memorial Hospital and Robinson Chiropractic spoke about body image. Students were provided healthy snacks to go along with this month's topic.
— By Maddie Hardwick
Monticello
Students have an opportunity to take part in FEA (Future Educators of America), which gives them a chance to get hands-on learning experience by being a student helper for teachers in the district. Pictured: students Rachel Ross and Pyper Burton volunteering in kindergarten classes.
— Will Ross
Oakwood
The Scholastic Bowl team competed in its first match last Thursday, junior varsity beating Chrisman and varsity sweeping Hoopeston Area and Chrisman. Pictured: Captain Ashton Morris and members Bujar Haziri, Brody Blew and Jarron Fleming hold up sophomore Noah Carpenter in celebration.
— Kalie Tison
Paxton-Buckley-Loda
The competitive cheer team qualified for the IHSA state competition at last weekend's sectionals. Pictured, starting in the top row from left to right: Alexis Muhl, Rebecca Lackey, Aubree Sawyer, Eriel Eichner, Petra Chaddock, Kynlei Humes, Brynah Johnson, Carley Fauser, Rebecca Shook, Caliaynna Jones and Chloe Price.
— Kate Wilson
Rantoul
St. Joseph-Ogden
The dance team qualified for IHSA state on Friday. The team had a great season, leaving everything out on the floor. Pictured: Samantha Beetz, Abby Getty, Katie Earley, Grace Getty, Taylyn Lockhart, Courtney Myren, Olivia Getty and Reese Wheatley.
— Alyssa Acton
St. Thomas More
On Saturday at Urbana, junior Blake Bermingham broke the school record in the 100-meter butterfly with a time of 59.07 seconds. Pictured: Bermingham (left) with senior teammate Joseph Ulozas.
— Jose Andino Guerra
Salt Fork
The cheer team is state-bound. The squad of 10 cheerleaders took second at the IHSA sectional competition. The team includes senior Riley McCrae; junior Bricelynn Keeran; sophomores Callway Cox, Brenna Boyd, Lilly Rickgauer, Ava Benjamin and Brynn Childs; and freshmen Kinzey Cook, Braelyn Henthorn and Bailey Schmit. Head coach Courtney Darr is assisted by Lindsay Keller.
— Macie Russell
Schlarman
On Friday, the Hahne family received the Schlarman Family Legacy Award in a ceremony before the boys' varsity basketball game. The award was founded in 2006 to honor families who have sent numerous family members to Schlarman. Three generations of Hahne family members have attended Schlarman, including five current students. Fun fact: Kelly Hahne is teaching her grandson, Bryant Hahne, in pre-school this year.
— Lilly Perez
Shiloh
Senior Levi Eads was accepted to Greenville University with an academic scholarship and will participate in track and field. He has been active in clubs and sports throughout his high school career: student council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, CAMA, band, National Honor Society, football and track. Pictured, left to right: Seth Eads, Christina Eads, Levi Eads and Troy Eads.
— Lydia Richardson
Tuscola
Mattoon school district's LIFT (Leaders Innovating for Tomorrow) hosted its first Exploration Day for area high school students. Fifteen Warriors attended three breakout sessions of their choosing to learn more about the seven different programs LIFT has to offer: communication, culinary arts, child care, leadership, HVAC/green energy/robotics/, information technology and manufacturing/architecture/construction.
Uni High
Left to right: Firmiana Wang (honors orchestra, cello), Grace To (honors orchestra, flute), Maggie Li (all-state orchestra, violin), Lukas Grosse Perdekamp (all-state chorus), Dan Yang (honors orchestra, violin), Yelim Kim (honors orchestra, cello) and Benji Chang (honors orchestra, clarinet) participated in ILMEA All-State. The honors orchestra was led by an extremely energetic and enthusiastic conductor, as described by Firmiana. Outside of playing music, the group enjoyed attending showcases and listening to the performances of the other groups.
— Wes Lu
Unity
After three years, the high school brought back its annual honor roll breakfast on Friday. Parents and honor roll students were treated to pancakes, sausage and homemade cinnamon rolls served by faculty and staff. Principal Phil Morrison estimated that almost 300 people were served before first hour began.
— Jolie Meyer
Villa Grove
Students in Bio 1 extracted DNA from wheat germ cells. Cooper Clark, Lila Bessent and Scarlett Howard participated by getting hands-on in the biology lab.
— Emma Bratten-Noice
Westville
Westville alum Zach Davis (Class of 2011) returned to speak to Devin Gay's construction classes, discussing his path to becoming a heavy-equipment operator with IUOW Local 841.