The CHIEF December 2020

CHIEF DEC, 2020 PONTIAC TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL The

UPPERCLASS ACTS

Read what School Resource Officer Enderli has to say about some current issues. INTERVIEW WITH OFFICER ENDERLI

Check out which PTHS seniors are this month's Upperclass Acts

A NOTE FROM YOUR EDITOR

By Joe G i l mo r

Hey, everybody, and thanks for tuning in to this month ’ s edition of The Chief ! With the semester nearing its end, and finals week looming ever closer, it ’ s hard to believe how quickly time has flown by!

N O M A D I C | Thank you again for tuning in to this month ’ s edition of The Chief , where we ’ re wishing you happy holidays on behalf of all of our staff! Your Editor-in-Chief, Joe Gilmor 2 4 Normally, it would be time for the PTHS Season of Giving, a time for students to get involved with their communities and help those in need over the holiday season. While the Season of Giving may not be operating in person, its sentiment still remains, and it is up to us to make this holiday season one to remember. We must learn to come together-- even as we stay apart. So share a kind word with your neighbor, support your local businesses by ordering in, or take the time to bond with family. Together, there is no challenge we cannot face, no matter what hardships the COVID-19 pandemic may throw at us.

Interview with Officer Enderli By Alaska Bennett

Recently, we at The Chief had the chance to sit down with Officer Enderli, our school’s resource officer, to ask him a few questions about safe driving, driving in different seasons, and the rules of the road. So here are the tips and tricks he wants to share with everyone. When it comes to driving in winter, since it can be very dangerous with all the black ice, you will notice how different your car drives compared to in the summer. Making sure to drive slower in these conditions is a good start, and keeping a good distance between cars in front of you is a must as well. It takes longer for vehicles to slow/stop on slick roads, so give yourself more time to allow for that. It is also important that, when the temperature drops, you make sure you have a full gas tank to help keep condensation from getting into the tank. You can also practice driving on slick roads by driving in an empty lot away from any other cars. This next tip is applicable to all seasons of driving, but is most important in the winter. Make sure to drive undistracted -- phone usage is high and is a common factor in traffic crashes.Pay attention to your surroundings and keep your phone out of your hands while driving. If road conditions are worse than usual, don’t go out driving unless you have to, dress warm in case something with your car does happen in the winter, and keep your fuel level above half a tank at all times. Keep an emergency kit in your car. If you end up stuck somewhere, it is best if you are prepared and have extra warm clothing, an emergency blanket, a phone charger to contact help, and anything else you think you might need. Have your vehicle serviced prior to winter to ensure you have good tires, brakes, air pressure, and working lights. With these tips, hopefully it will help you drive safely and keep you prepared for another Illinois winter.

Music Update

By: Gabe Travis Madrigals

As the year comes to an end, COVID-19 still continues to take affect all of us. With health being the PTHS administration’s number one concern, the Madrigals and Barbershop Quartet are ending for the fall and winter season. While this is not the ideal situation for ending the season, on the bright side the Madrigals have recorded and plan to release a CD to the public containing songs and carols of the season sung by the 2020 Madrigals. The CD contains thirteen different carols of the season such as “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” “O’ Come all Ye Faithful” and many others. With the spring on the horizon, both the Madrigals and Barbershop Quartet hope to once again make beautiful music together, healthily and safely, after 2020 comes to an end.

Madrigals pictures from last year:

National Honor Society B y E m i l i e C o l l i n s

COVID-19 has yet to stop the academic success of many students at Pontiac. The Torch National Honor Society recently held their induction ceremony virtually. Ms. Baumgardner, the NHS advisor, opted to host a Zoom call in which she inducted returning and new members into the society. The call had over 100 participants that included PTHS staff and administrators, inductees and their families, and any others who were able to join in. The ceremony consisted opening remarks by Ms. Baumgardner and Mr. Kilgore, various speeches by retuning members, video advice from various alumni, and the induction of members. A congratulations is in order for all of the students who were inducted into the Torch National Honor Society. They are proving that despite our circumstances it is still possible to excel. Keep up the great work!

Key Club Update B y A v a N o l l e n

This month in Key Club has been a very productive one. Our Pontiac Key Club got 1st place in Trick or Treat for UNICEF. For our 22 North District, the Lieutenant Governor Election happened virtually. We surpassed our previous record for wreath sales by a large amount, a great accomplishment for our Key Club! For the holidays, Key Club is working on sending out Christmas gift baskets to those in need. For Thanksgiving, we collaborated to help send out meals for those in need. The club has many more project ideas for the upcoming months as well!

Upperclass Acts

Emilie Collins

NAME: Emilie Collins

FAVORITE AUTHOR/BOOK: It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini

NICKNAMES: Em

ROLE MODEL(S): Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Taylor Marae

MOST POSITIVE MOMENT: Getting to see Luke Combs live in concert

ACTIVITIES @ PTHS: Band, Key Club, Scholastic Bowl, the Chief, National Honor Society, Tri-M

PET PEEVES: Not pushing in chairs behind you.

FONDEST MEMORY OF HIGH SCHOOL SO FAR: meeting my best friends

WHAT MY FRIENDS WILL REMEMBER ABOUT ME: My fear of ducks

3 MAJOR AREAS OF INTEREST: Criminal Justice, Education, Community Service

HOW WOULD YOU SPEND $1,000,000? I would travel the world and see all the places I have on my bucket list. IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A DESERT ISLAND, WHAT 3 ITEMS WOULD YOU WANT WITH YOU? A good book, a two-way radio, and foodstuffs LAST WORDS OF ADVICE: “Do what makes you the happiest and don’t be afraid to try new things. It may be something you fall in love with.”

PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL: I will be attending Olivet Nazarene University pursuing my bachelor’s degrees in Criminal Justice and Psychology. My goal is to become a federal agent for the FBI.

FAVORITE MOVIE: The Breakfast Club

MOST INSPIRATIONAL SONG: “Die a Happy Man” by Thomas Rhett

FAVORITE TEACHER/CLASS: Mr. McElwee

Upperclass Acts

Logan Roe

NAME: Logan Roe

FAVORITE AUTHOR/BOOK: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

ROLE MODEL(S): My Dad

ACTIVITIES @ PTHS: FFA, National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, Math Team

MOST POSITIVE MOMENT: Being accepted into National Honor Society

FONDEST MEMORY OF HIGH SCHOOL SO FAR: Going to National FFA Convention on the one-day trip.

PET PEEVES: When people do not put forth the necessary effort and expect others to do it for them and someone chewing with their mouth open. WHAT MY FRIENDS WILL REMEMBER ABOUT ME: I am always willing to help people and am considered one of the smartest in the class by many. HOW WOULD YOU SPEND $1,000,000? I would save some of it whilst investing a large portion of it in some way that I see profitable at the time. I would do my best to turn it into more in the near future whether that be through my own business or something else. IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A DESERT ISLAND, WHAT 3 ITEMS WOULD YOU WANT WITH YOU? A knife, a water purifier, and a fishing net LAST WORDS OF ADVICE: “Never give up on your goals, do not waste time regretting the past, rather, enjoy the present and make your future what you want it to be.”

3 MAJOR AREAS OF INTEREST: Agricultural and Mechanical Engineering and Business

PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL: I plan to attend Iowa State University with a major in either agricultural, mechanical, or electrical engineering and a minor in business. I plan to work as an engineer after college while doing my best to build my own businesses into becoming a full time entrepreneur.

FAVORITE MOVIE: Max

MOST INSPIRATIONAL SONG: “Bless the Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts

FAVORITE TEACHER/CLASS: Engineering and Architectural Design II with Ryan Woith

Film Review

By Conrad Skryzpiec

A Charlie Brown Christmas

As we enter the holiday season, many things are different this year than in years before. However, one thing remains the same: classic Christmas movies. One of my favorite Christmas movies is A Charlie Brown Christmas . The film is a true classic and was released nearly 55 years ago. This movie talks about the increasing consumerism that is associated with Christmas, and how there is a lot more to Christmas than that. It talks about how the true meaning of Christmas is about spending time with those you love. This is a heartwarming film, perfect to watch with family, especially in times as trying as these. 9/10

Book Review

By Jasmine White

Deep Blue by Jennifer Donnelly

Deep Blue is a good book to read if you like mermaids, mystery, action, and paranormal fiction. This book has a good plot and details that it keeps you hooked and unable to look away. In the beginning, it gives a great backstory and lays out important key factors to know throughout, helping the reader understand what is happing in before the book even started. A nice touch is that the author added a glossary to help readers understand the mermaid language. The plot creates a good flow between events and you get to know the main characters well in this book. I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars.

The Chief Staff

A student leaves and comes again to find, The tornéd mess in which his paper lies. The damage done depletes his homework grind. He cannot help but sit in downcast cries. Creative Corner: My Dog Ate My Homework A Shakespearean Sonnet by Callie Dalton

Joe Gilmor: Editor-in-Chief

Alaska Bennet Emilie Collins Callie Dalton Ava Nollen

Alyssa Rodriguez Conrad Skryzpiec Gabe Travis Jasmine White

Mr. Blair, Faculty Sponsor Dr. Soares, Faculty Sponsor

Beloved pup sits chewing satisfied. On cellulose and glue he masticates. Recovery of what his jaws did hide, Is slim and thus only left to The Fates.

All over the world, teachers have heard it. The foolproof excuse in which students launch, To pay atonement though not from the pulpit, The sin of undone work, ne’re in true staunch.

Enjoy creative writing? If you ever would ever like to see your creative pieces in The Chief , contact Dr. Soares or Mr. Blair!

In value most would give less than a merk, The claim of which: “My dog ate my homework.”