The CHIEF April 2021

CHIEF APR, 2021 PONTIAC TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL The

UPPERCLASS ACTS

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES UPDATE

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

Read about what's going on in some clubs and organizations around PTHS.

A NOTE FROM YOUR EDITOR

By Joe G i l mo r

Hey, everybody! Thanks for tuning in to another edition of The Chief !

N O M A D I C | Despite all of the uncertainty that has faced PTHS the past two semesters, the school year is almost over, and students and teachers alike couldn’t be more excited. Thanks again for tuning in, and I hope you enjoy this month’s edition of The Chief ! Your Editor-in-Chief, Joe Gilmor 2 4 As we round off the school year here at PTHS, the halls are abuzz with excitement. Seniors are busy comparing financial aid offers as they determine where to spend the next four years of their lives, while juniors are anxiously awaiting their results from this year’s SAT testing. Underclassmen are keeping busy as well, diligently studying for final exams and selecting their favorite electives to take next year. Unfortunately, students are not the only ones who realize the year is soon coming to an end, and the shriek of Expo markers can be heard in every classroom as teachers attempt to cram the last of their lesson plans into the minds of their students.

PTHS Schedule Change By Callie Dalton

After a semester and a half of hybrid learning, PTHS students are finally returning to a normal(ish) school schedule. Starting April 14th, students will be in the building four days a week. This schedule will resemble previous years (3 eight period days and 2 block period days). The only difference is that Monday attendance will be optional. Masks along with social distancing measures will continue to be enforced; however, the days of half-full classes are over. Whether or not this new schedule will roll over into the next school year is not clear, but as more and more people are receiving the Covid-19 vaccine, restrictions are sure to lift further. This new policy is only a small step towards normalcy- but a step nonetheless!

Key Club Legacy By: Emilie Collins

Activities Update

The Key Club has continued to serve the school and the community throughout the year. They have been taking part in remote service projects like making door decorations for the nursing homes and individual members serving wherever they can and however they can. They are also working on a couple of in-person service projects that will be able to be done at the end of the year and throughout the summer. They recently held a meeting to recognize retiring board officers and instating the new officers. Members are sad to see their seniors go, but very excited to see the new direction the upcoming officer board will take. Despite another crazy year, they have continued to serve in all of the ways they can and are happy to do it. Thank you to the Key Club members for all of their service, it is appreciated!

By: Gabe Travis Barbershop Update

As the end of the year draws nearer to PTHS, it doesn’t stop the Barbershop Quartet from working hard to be the best they can be. Right now, the Barbershop wishes farewell to the former bass singer, Luke Morrisette. Due to scheduling conflicts, he could no longer perform with the group. On a happier note, however, Conrad Skrzypiec will be taking Luke’s place to fill the hole of the bass within the quartet. The Barbershop is now working on pieces to record to later be released to the public such as the “Star Spangled Banner,” “Country Roads” by John Denver, and “Lullaby” by Billy Joel.

Upperclass Acts

Adrian Lutz

ROLE MODEL(S): My parents and my uncle who is a software developer

MOST POSITIVE MOMENT: Learning how to drive with my dad.

ACTIVITIES @ PTHS: Engineering at LACC

PET PEEVES: My biggest pet peeve is having to drive a car with an automatic transmission. I prefer to have full control of my car with control of the clutch and gear selection, and I severely dislike driving cars without that control.

FONDEST MEMORY OF HIGH SCHOOL SO FAR: My most fond memory of high school has to be going to Chicago my freshman year to watch a performance of Romeo and Juliet. After the performance we got to have pizza, and I really enjoyed hanging out with my friends during that trip.

WHAT MY FRIENDS WILL REMEMBER ABOUT ME: Me constantly playing with my 3x3 cube

3 MAJOR AREAS OF INTEREST: Architectural engineering, computer hardware, classic cars

HOW WOULD YOU SPEND $1,000,000? Instead of living a wealthy lifestyle, I would share a large part of it with my family, paying off my parents' house and car loans. I'd then spend the money toward starting a business in computer building for clients, as well as build my own fully custom racecar out of a 90's classic German sedan. IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A DESERT ISLAND, WHAT 3 ITEMS WOULD YOU WANT WITH YOU? My 3x3 Rubik's cube, one of my best friends, and a box of white cheddar Cheez-Its LAST WORDS OF ADVICE: “Don't live to make money. The happiness money can bring you is short- lived. Rather, live a life you will remember. That happiness will endure forever.”

PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL: After high school I plan on volunteering at world headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses in Warwick, NY, then work toward building my own business working with computer hardware.

FAVORITE MOVIES: Star Trek VII: Generations and Bedtime Stories

MOST INSPIRATIONAL SONG: “The Nights” by Avicii

FAVORITE TEACHER/CLASS: Mr. Woith, Engineering and Architecture Design II

FAVORITE AUTHOR/BOOK: Clive Cussler and his Dirk Pitt series

Upperclass Acts

Weiland Torkelson

Name: Weiland Torkelson

FAVORITE AUTHOR/BOOK: The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding written by Arnold Schwarzenegger

NICKNAMES: Wy, W

ROLE MODEL(S): Arnold Schwarzenegger, Coach Lucas, and Brian Masching

MOST POSITIVE MOMENT: Deadlifting 405 lbs. at 163 lbs. bodyweight.

ACTIVITIES @ PTHS: FFA, Track, Cross Country

PET PEEVES: Lazy people

WHAT MY FRIENDS WILL REMEMBER ABOUT ME: My fun personality

FONDEST MEMORY OF HIGH SCHOOL SO FAR: State Track meet my sophomore year.

HOW WOULD YOU SPEND $1,000,000? I would invest everything into expanding my chicken operation. IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A DESERT ISLAND, WHAT 3 ITEMS WOULD YOU WANT WITH YOU? Spikeball set, Speaker to play Willie Nelson, and my kayak. LAST WORDS OF ADVICE: “Get involved with FFA and other organizations during high school.”

3 MAJOR AREAS OF INTEREST: Chicken farming, Construction, Bodybuilding

FAVORITE MOVIE: Lethal Weapon

MOST INSPIRATIONAL SONG: “On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson

FAVORITE TEACHER/CLASS: Construction Trades with Mr. Kuerth

Film Review

By Jasmine White

White House Down

White House Down is a fantastic film for those who love action and thriller movies. In addition to tons of good scenes along with a strong plot, it always delivers with its action features. The film starts off with a great exposition which builds up to the action part of the movie. It also builds the plot more throughout the action scenes which catch your attention. The movie slowly introduces new details about the identity of the movie’s antagonists, but never fails to catch the reader’s attention with flashy action scenes and excellent special effects. The movie ends with a gut-wrenching twist concerning the identity of the mastermind of this attack. I give White House Down 5 out of 5 stars.

Music Review

By Conrad Skryzpiec

Lil Nas X

Lil Nas X rose to fame in 2019 with the release of his song “Old Town Road,” which swept the globe overnight. His fame continued to rise with another hit: “Panini,” which released later that year. 2020 brought us much pain, but also brought his November release, “Holiday.” His most recent song has brought him much controversy due to the music video accompanying it. As one of few openly gay people of color in the music industry, Nas had already been receiving hate from certain communities, but he has chosen not to let it faze him. The much-awaited song was very well received by his fans, and he chose to not let the hate stop him, responding that he doesn’t make music for the children that people are upset about listening to his music. He makes music for him and his fans, and he will rise above everyone who tries to bring him down.

Literature Review

By Ava Nollen

The Phantom Tollbooth is certainly one of the most interesting books I’ve ever read. Reminiscent of a Roald Dahl book, this 1961 work by Norton Juster will have you enraptured. Juster, who died last month at the age of 91, filled the book with witticisms and wordplay, such as jumping to the island named Conclusions, or going on a journey to save Rhyme and Reason. This is classified as a children's book, but it's a book I read at least twice a year. It shows the benefits of knowledge and the importance of keeping a good imagination. No matter what age you are, The Phantom Tollbooth is a must read. I would rate this book a 5 of 5 stars. I can find no flaw with this book, except that it is not more widely appreciated with my generation. The Phantom Tollbooth is a book that has and will continue to stand the test of time. The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

The Chief Staff

Water, the object of my affection Raging seas, crashing waves, waterfalls glide Uncertain, in which I see my reflection In a landlocked place, I long for the tides The ocean floor, a total mystery What lies in the vast, dark watery depths Great discoveries, changing history Riveting, the sea takes away my breath Oceans can also be unforgiving The horror stories are at no shortage Sirens bewitch you to do their bidding Pirates know all about a ship's cordage Creative Corner: Student Poetry A Shakespearean Sonnet by Ava Nollen

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

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Unpredictable, wild, loving, and sweet To know this creature is a hopeless feat