The CHIEF October 2017

CHIEF OCTOBER, 2017 PONTIAC TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL The

NEW FACES AT PTHS

UPPERCLASS ACTS

Meet one of the newest members of the PTHS Math Department, Mrs. Erschen! 

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

table of contents

03 Editor ' s Note

04 NewTeacher Interview

05 Memories fromWilliamson Field

05 Indian Showdown

06 Upperclass Acts

09 Music Review

11 Student Poetry

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CHIEF

www.pontiac90.org

I know for me Homecoming is one of those events that I look forward to every single year. I sincerely hope that everyone, especially the seniors and freshman, enjoyed this year’s Homecoming festivities. I would like to send out a special shoutout to Student Council members and activities because without all their hard work and dedication, none of that would have been possible. As we go into the next month of school, I wish you all luck with academic and social success. Remember to work hard and stay safe!

EDITOR'S NOTE W H A T ' S G O I N G O N ?

By Kamr y n Moo r e

Another month of school already has come in gone. Believe it or not, it's already October! September was full of many activities that were fun and exciting; one of those was Homecoming.

N O M A D I C |

2 4

What is your Halloween costume this year?

New Teacher

Ethan Finnegan

By Joe Gilmor

Ms. Rachel Erschen, who many know of as their Algebra I or Concepts in Algebra teacher, is one of the latest additions to the teaching staff here at Pontiac Township High School. Ms. Erschen’s favorite subject in school has always been math, so much so that she even decided to teach it. School was always much fun for her, and Ms. Erschen took part in many activities such as softball, volleyball, and FFA. After graduating from the University Of Illinois, Ms. Erschen began her teaching career, educating students at two other schools before landing a job in Pontiac. She has thoroughly enjoyed her experience at PTHS so far, and plans to stay for the foreseeable future. When asked her reasoning for her decision to be a math teacher, Ms. Erschen responded “I always loved math, and many of my family members were teachers, so it was an easy choice.” As Ms. Erschen, who lives locally, continues to become acquainted with PTHS, let’s try to make her feel welcome and ease her transition as she learns what it means to be a Pontiac Indian.

"Pirate"

Ryan Craver

"Cookie Monster"

Emmie Blaetz

"Red Coat"

Memories at Williamson Field Hundreds of students look forward to the “Friday Night Lights” when the varsity football team storms Williamson Field. The fall weather, good food, and energy the team creates draws sport loving students to the bleachers every home game. After students attend the tailgating, a new activity put together by teachers and students, all gather into the student section to cheer on the Indians. Everyone shows up wearing that week’s theme with the goal to bring the energy the team needs to succeed. According to Evan Trevino, Junior here at PTHS: “the theme created brings the students together.” The theme is important because the students look like a unified group as a student body and it helps everyone to relate to each other and root for one cause. Memories are made every Friday in the student section at Williamson Field that will be remembered for years to come. By Clay Miller On Saturday 16th, the Pontiac Marching Indians hosted the 14th annual Indian Showdown. During this year’s competition, twelve schools competed (3-4 schools in each division) to be ranked number one at the event. Competitors were judged, starting at 5:30, on subcategories of winds, percussion, and color guard. The two main categories were overall performance and music. The first school to perform, Dwight, was class 1A. Around 8:30, East Peoria was the last competing band left to perform. Before the drum majors were called to the field, the Marching Indians performed two of the three movements for their show titled “Imagine.” The end results for class 1A were Watseka taking first. For the class AA, Eureka took the title of number one. Finally for division AAA, East Peoria triumphed with their performance. The grand champions of the Indian Showdown this year was Normal West's marching band. All bands performed well, although some better than others. The competitors were not only driven to receive first, but to improve individuals and their own show. Indian Showdown By Alyssa Rodriguez

Upperclass Acts

Lexi Mennenga

NAME: Alexis Mennenga

NICKNAMES: Lexi

FAVORITE AUTHOR/BOOK: Chain Letters by Christopher Pike

ROLE MODEL(S): My mother, Christina Smith

ACTIVITIES @ PTHS: President of Interact, Long jumper for track, Vice President of Junior Class,

MOST POSITIVE MOMENT: Volunteering in Puerto Rico to paint the local Women's shelter.

FONDEST MEMORY OF HIGH SCHOOL SO FAR: Working concessions and security for sporting events

PET PEEVES: Not following directions or talking when the teacher is talking.

3 MAJOR AREAS OF INTEREST: K9 Training, Music, & Law Enforcement

WHAT MY FRIENDS WILL REMEMBER ABOUT ME: My attitude, sassiness, & honesty.

PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL: Study Pre-Law/Case Law, go into the armed forces to become a K9 handler, and do either narcotics or search and rescue missions.

HOW WOULD YOU SPEND $1,000,000? Buy a horse ranch and spend the rest on traveling.

IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A DESERT ISLAND, WHAT 3 ITEMS WOULD YOU WANT WITH YOU? A never-dying phone, a gun, water purifier. LAST WORDS OF ADVICE: “Don’t let anyone tell you how you need to look, or act. If someone tries, give them a piece of your mind.”

FAVORITE MOVIE: Max

MOST INSPIRATIONAL SONG: “Silence” by Marshmellow

FAVORITE CLASS: Law Enforcement

Upperclass Acts

Adem Jaoski

NAME: Adem Jaoski

NICKNAMES: Adem the Dream

MOST INSPIRATIONAL SONG: “All We do is Win” by Dj Kahaled

ROLE MODEL(S): My parents and my teachers throughout my years at PTHS.

FAVORITE TEACHER/CLASS: Mr. Blair’s Speech class

ACTIVITIES @ PTHS: C.A.P.T.I.N.S, HOSA, and helping out at home football games

FAVORITE AUTHOR/BOOK: It by Stephen King

PET PEEVES: People who do not pick up after themselves.

FONDEST MEMORY OF HIGH SCHOOL SO FAR: My fondest memory of high school is when I was in Coach Christianson’s PE class and our whole class had to run the mile. I was hesitant at first because I was the slowest guy on the track but Coach Christianson told me don’t worry and just keep running. I did not beat any school records that day but I finished the mile and set my own personal record.

WHAT MY FRIENDS WILL REMEMBER ABOUT ME: I always kept it honest with them even though it might have hurt their feelings.

HOW WOULD YOU SPEND $1,000,000? I would invest in Apple stock and buy a house for my parents.

3 MAJOR AREAS OF INTEREST: Sports (basketball), money and foreign cars

IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A DESERT ISLAND, WHAT 3 ITEMS WOULD YOU WANT WITH YOU? Unlimited amount of food and water, a person who knows the way out of the desert island also a tent to sleep in for the time being. LAST WORDS OF ADVICE: “Stay positive and always believe in yourself” and “Follow me @ Adem Jaoski on Instagram”

PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL: Community college or a 4- year University

FAVORITE MOVIE: Iron Man

September Dates with History By Kaelee Germain

September being the second official month of our long school year, many of us are starting to feel the drag of a normal conundrum of school life. While English class may seem boring, there are a few dates in history this month that won’t make it so. Below are a few keyed in dates that will be sure to educate you for an upcoming test or to impress even the most grueling Rhet teachers, *cough,cough* Ms. Babb. 1) The New York Sun was created September 3, 1833. The paper coined the term “Penny Press” and was the start of the news paper boy stereotype. 2) William Golding was born September 19, 1911. Being the author of The Lord of the Flies, the Brit had an extensive career and even won the Nobel Prize in 1983. 3) Walter Lippmann was born September 23, 1889. Lippmann in his truest form was a political journalist. He didn’t bash on the world around him, he analyzed it. Lippmann inspired Woodrow Wilson with his work to the point of being asked by the president to take a role in the negotiations in the Treaty of Versailles. In his career he also won two Pulitzer Prizes for “Today and Tomorrow.” 4) On September 24, 1896, F. Scott. Fitzgerald was born. The famed poet/writer wrote The Great Gatsby and Tender is the Night. 5) September 25, 1690, the first Colonial newspaper was created in Boston Massachusetts. The name was Publick Occurrences both Foreign and Domestic. The newspaper was considered to be too risky and opinionated so the British government shut it down. 6) T.S Eliot was born September 26, 1888. One of his most intriguing poems is “The Hollow Men” which includes the famous line “This is the way the world ends, not with a bang, but a whimper.” 7) Truman Capote was born September 30, 1924. The American author went on to write In Cold Blood and Breakfast At Tiffany’s.

FOR ALL DRIVERS: A FRI ENDLY REMINDER

Th Critic's

 Corner

Music

Review of The Neighbourhood's "Sweater Weather"

By Becca True

“ Sweater Weather ” is a song recognizable to many, mainly due to the fact it skyrocketed on the top charts in 2013. Despite its popularity, most listeners have no knowledge of the alternative band who wrote the mellow song. The Neighbourhood is a band known for its unique cross between rock and hip hop. The band is comparable to groups such as The 1975, Grouplove, and Young the Giant. In the past years, they have collaborated with popular rap artists including YG and French Montana. After the release of their album Wiped Out! in 2015, the group did not release any more music for another two years. Without warning, they recently surprised their growing fan base with an EP entitled Hard . The five songs have a more sinister edge to them, and they have a darker tone in comparison to their previous albums. With a growing group of supporters and an upcoming tour, the group ’ s EP is certainly going to be a huge success for them.

Th Critic's

 Corner

Movie

Review of Stephen King's IT

By Luke Morrissette

While many fear this movie ’ s name and even cringe a little at the slightest mention of of IT , the movie proved to be as funny as it is scary. Stranger Things actor Finn Wolfhard made plenty of one-liners; although, it was hard not to enjoy the horror that came along as well. The movie focuses on a group of teenagers facing a group of bullies, along with one killer clown that wants to eat everyone. The group starts out trying to find the main character Bill ’ s little brother. But as they get closer to finding Georgie, they get closer and closer to danger. Each one of them defy what is holding them back and prove that working together can defeat all of their problems. While the movie may not appeal to everyone ’ s taste, it is one of the best so far in 2017.

Student Poetry

The Chief Staff

Kamryn Moore: Editor-in-Chief

"An Ode to October" By Sunny Holt

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

You. You with your autumn breeze and damp leaves that dance in the wind. You. You with your pumpkin spice lattes and sun-kissed treetops. You. You with your stormy skies and tear-stained sweaters. You. You with your cold nights and crinkled pages of a cliche love story. You. You with your coffee-stained journals and sad poems. You. October.

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

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