The CHIEF March 2018

CHIEF MARCH, 2018 PONTIAC TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL The

WORLD WAR II SYMPOSIUM

UPPERCLASS ACTS

Read about this year's WW II Symposium presented by the PTHS Social Sciences Department.

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

table of contents

03 Scholastic Bowl

04 WW II Symposium

05 Upperclass Acts

07 Music Update

08 Editor ' s Note

09 Student Teacher - Mr. Prosser 11 Student Poetry

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www.pontiac90.org

for the first time in years, defeating conference foes such as Monticello High School and Olympia High School as well as competitive teams like the Cornerstone Christian Academy of Bloomington. Another notable part of the year has been our matches against our rival, Prairie Central, where PTHS took the lead by defeating them four times out of the five competitions against them. Lastly, our PTHS Varsity Team has been able to take down previously undefeated teams such as Blue Ridge High School and the Bloomington Central Catholic A Team—a first in a very long time. this season include Alec Bristow (120 points), Patrick Bromley (525 points), Zoe Hocker (300 points), Savannah Limberg (190 points), Katie Stock (95 points) Tyrah Sexton (285 points), and Henry Woodburn (1350 points). These people along with the brains from the rest of the team (Maddy Doran, Emily Thomas, Caleb Rowland, Scott Shelby, and Christian Villarreal) were what allowed us to work efficiently and competitively in order to be successful. We can all look back and think of the solid plays, new experiences, and great laughs that this PTHS Scholastic Bowl season was able to provide. Here’s to next year! N O M A D I C | 2 4 Ending this season with an all-time-high 22-11 record was not a one-person job, either. Top scorers throughout all matches

G O N E B O W L I N G

SCHOLASTIC BOWL SEASON REPORT As the 2017-18 Season of Scholastic Bowl for PTHS comes to a close, the teams are looking back on what was done right this year, as well as what can be further improved for the years to come. This season has been a historic one, as both the Junior Varsity and Varsity Teams have had their best winning seasons ever. The Junior Varsity Team ended their season last month, and the Varsity team’s season ended this month with the Regional Tournament on March 5th. Our first tournament of the year was at Olympia High School on November 14th, where Pontiac was able to come out on top By Hen r y Woodbu r n

Rollie Gagnon and Harley Mayer of Pontiac, Art Leach of Odell, and Eldon Bryant of Chenoa fascinated the audience with some of their war stories. Next, each speaker answered a few questions regarding their service. Unfortunately, their presentation was cut short due to time constraints; I, for one, could have listened to these national heroes all day long. Do you know that over a thousand World War II veterans die every three days in the United States? We should all lend an ear to these national treasures, because soon they will be gone.

F I R S T H A N D A C C O U N T

WORLD WAR II SYMPOSIUM

By Jo s eph G i l mo r

February 27th marked yet another iteration of the annual World War II Symposium here at PTHS. Four World War II veterans were asked to speak at the symposium, while many other veterans attended the event.

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Upperclass Acts

India Guerrero

NAME: India Guerrero

FAVORITE AUTHOR/BOOK: 1984 by George Orwell

NICKNAMES: Bird, Birdie

ROLE MODEL(S): Stephanie Vitzthum (mom), Thomas Ramseyer, Chrissy Teigen

MOST POSITIVE MOMENT: Finding out the cheer team was going to ICCA State

ACTIVITIES @ PTHS: Competition Cheerleading, Football Cheerleading, Madrigals/Route 66, Choir, National Technical Honor Society, National Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, Thespian’s Society FONDEST MEMORY OF HIGH SCHOOL SO FAR: The friendships I have made, the places I’ve had the opportunity to go, and the Homecoming pep rally.

PET PEEVES: Disrespectful people, ignorance, laziness, negativity

WHAT MY FRIENDS WILL REMEMBER ABOUT ME: That I give good advice

HOW WOULD YOU SPEND $1,000,000? I would buy a vacation house for my family in Hawaii

3 MAJOR AREAS OF INTEREST: Human biology/anatomy, Music, Cheerleading

IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A DESERT ISLAND, WHAT 3 ITEMS WOULD YOU WANT WITH YOU? Oliver (my cat), a water purifier, and a utility knife LAST WORDS OF ADVICE: “Work hard for all four years. Never slack off because these years of hard work will open up possibilities for your future in ways you never would have imagined possible. Also, take a second to look around and enjoy everything and everyone you have because in the blink of the eye four years is gone, so make as many memories as you can.”

PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL: Attend either Wayne State University or Butler University to obtain an undergraduate degree in Pre-Medicine.

FAVORITE MOVIE: Dazed and Confused

MOST INSPIRATIONAL SONG: “Idle Town” by Conan Gray

FAVORITE TEACHER/CLASS: Mr. Durbin / Concert Choir

Upperclass Acts

Henry Woodburn

NAME: Henry Woodburn

NICKNAMES: Hen, Henri

FAVORITE AUTHOR/BOOK: Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss

ROLE MODEL(S): Elon Musk

MOST POSITIVE MOMENT: Enrolling into my top choice college

ACTIVITIES @ PTHS: Band, Varsity Scholastic Bowl, Key Club, Science Club, Principal’s Advisory Board, National Honor Society, Tri-M, Math Team FONDEST MEMORY OF HIGH SCHOOL SO FAR: Being on the most successful Varsity Scholastic Bowl team in PTHS history

PET PEEVES: Playing loud music with speakers in public, arrogance, close-mindedness

WHAT MY FRIENDS WILL REMEMBER ABOUT ME: My small handwriting.

HOW WOULD YOU SPEND $1,000,000? Use a small portion to pay off all of my school debt, then take the risk and invest the rest, donating the profits to charity. IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A DESERT ISLAND, WHAT 3 ITEMS WOULD YOU WANT WITH YOU? A radio, knife, and duct tape LAST WORDS OF ADVICE: “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count; it’s the life in your years.”

3 MAJOR AREAS OF INTEREST: Chemistry, Geography, Cycling

PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL: Attend the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities with a major in chemistry and a minor in pharmacology

FAVORITE MOVIE: Whiplash

MOST INSPIRATIONAL SONG: “Deacon Blues” by Steely Dan

FAVORITE TEACHER: Mr. Christie

Music Update

Chorus By Alyssa Rodriguez

Band By Alyssa Rodriguez

On the night of March 1st, both bands performed in the winter concert. The theme of “Earth, Water, Air, and Fire” consisted of the two bands playing five songs in total. The concert band played first with solos played in between each piece and after. The songs played were “Jet Stream,” “Yorkshire Ballad,” and “American Riversongs.” The solos played between were performed by Ali Schrock on violin and Aaron Putnam on trombone. After the concert band was done, the Swingin’ Bridges group played as well. The group consisted of Ali Schrock and Scott Shelby on trumpet, Caitlyn Ricketts on French horn, Aaron Putnam on trombone, and Patrick Bromley on tuba. The last solo of the night was performed by Madelyn Doran on trumpet. Last was the performance by the symphonic band. The four pieces they played were titled “Variations On A Shaker Melody,” “Lightning Field,” “Be Thou My Vision,” and the concert concluded with “Mother Earth.” The concert lasted around an hour and was filled to the brim with music performed by talented students. The students now will getting music for the spring concert that is just around the corner.

Starting off with “Seasons of Love” from Rent , all of the choirs were joined together for the piece. The choirs showed off in the concert were Cantabile, Bel Canto, Mens, Route 66, and Concert choir. In between choirs, solos were performed by Kevin Kuska, Brayden Weaver, and Olivia Muir. These individuals were chosen because of their outstanding performances during the solo and ensemble contest. The theme for this year’s Pops Concert was “Billboards & Broadway.” During the concert, songs such as “Castle on a Cloud,” “I’m Not That Girl” and “Jolene” were performed. All pieces came from either a Broadway show or it was a radio hit. The hard work put into each piece definitely paid off during the show and the audience left the auditorium very pleased. Now, the choirs start to get music for the next performance.

Liam Melvin competed in the state wrestling tournament while Brett Spires competed in the State swim meet where he broke his previous record and finished in 4th place! The boy’s basketball team became regional champs, the first time in four years! With a new month starting, that means the start of a new quarter is approaching. The fourth and final quarter of the year! Remember to keep working hard!

EDITOR'S NOTE F R O M T H E E D I T O R

By Kamr y n Moo r e

Welcome back to the March edition of The Chief! This month seemed like it flew by. I would like to start by congratulating two senior athletes and our boys basketball team for an amazing month.

Sincerely, Kamryn Moore, Editor-in-Chief

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What are your Spring Break plans?

Report - Mr. Prosser By Joseph Gilmor

Going to Florida - Max Gschwendtner

Work- Bri Charron

Hang out with friends - Kale Plotner

Visit Grandma - Cassidy Ringle

This year, PTHS has hosted a number of student teachers. David Prosser is one of them, and he has been assisting in Mr. Blair’s English classroom this semester. Mr. Prosser has a great sense of humor, which has helped him to relate to students both individually and as a group. After graduating from Willowbrook High School in Lombard, Illinois, Mr. Prosser began his studies at Illinois State University, where he is majoring in English Education at the high school level. Mr. Prosser chose to teach in order to make a difference in the lives of his students, for whom he cares deeply. On of the concepts Mr. Prosser attempts to teach his students is the appreciation of what reading has to offer. The scenarios portrayed in books can help students expand their minds and teach them valuable life lessons. So far, Mr. Prosser has thoroughly enjoyed his stay at PTHS. He says that PTHS has a “unique community” that cannot be found elsewhere. Once he receives his degree from Illinois State, Mr. Prosser hopes to teach in Central Illinois. No matter where he decides to travel, we here at PTHS hope that Mr. Prosser will never forget his time at Pontiac.

Eat - Jeremy Lyons

Go to Disney World - Elysia Davis

Babysit - Rebecca Bohm

Go to Tennessee - Madi Valdez

Nothing - Gavin Stout

Play games - Matt Wehrli

Practicing my art techniques - Clay Miller

Beating my dad in tennis

Th Critic's

 Corner

Literature

Review of Jeff Zentner's Goodbye Days

By Kenzie Cool

What if you could have one more day to say goodbye to a loved one? When Carver Briggs sends a text message to one of his friends, his world is completely turned upside down. Little did Carver know his friend was driving at the time. When all three of Carver ’ s friends are killed in a car accident, how will Carver cope with the loss? With a town screaming to put him behind bars, Carver must find a way to say goodbye to his friends once and for all. How will he do it? Find out by picking up Goodbye Days .

The Chief Staff

Student Poetry "Ode to Ode" By Chance Casares

Kamryn Moore: Editor-in-Chief

Leslie Babbs Kenzie Cool Kaelee Germain Joe Gilmor Sunshine Holt Alec Krainer Clay Miller Luke Morrissette Alyssa Rodriguez Becca True Hannah Wallace

Sitting on a swing in the middle of September Listening to birds sing so I feel better It’s where I find my peace of mind The wind swooshes by I look to the sky and say good bye

And scream the question why Why oh why do we have to die Memories fly by I think Of how much time flies I’m thankful what I have and Count my blessings twice Live every moment For a lifetime

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

"Oblivescence" By Sunshine Holt How do I delete you from my memory? You. You were here, Then gone in a second Like a dream. Oblivescence. Oblivescence. You. You are the process of forgetting.

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