The CHIEF September 2020

CHIEF SEP, 2020 PONTIAC TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL The

WELCOME BACK!

UPPERCLASS ACTS

The Editor of The CHIEF welcomes you back to an unusual semester!

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

Sophomores, now that you have become acquainted with PTHS, it is time for you to spread your wings and fly! So join that club, take that AP class, and start to think about your future beyond high school. But don ’ t let planning for the future prevent you from enjoying today! Juniors, you ’ ve made it! You are no longer underclassmen. Now, it ’ s time to hone in on who you want to be after high school. Study hard, because this is the year that matters most. Don ’ t forget, you are now role models for the underclassmen. They are all looking up to you, so make sure to set a good example. Seniors, we ’ re almost there! While we may not have a Homecoming Dance or rivalry football game to look forward to, this is still our year, so let ’ s make the most of it! No matter what the world throws at us, we are still the Class of 2021, and we will always be Pontiac Indians.

A NOTE FROM YOUR EDITOR

By Joe G i l mo r

Hey, everybody, and thanks for tuning in to this year ’ s first edition of The Chief! I hope you all had an exciting summer, and are looking forward to another year at PTHS! While this year has been everything but ordinary, we must strive to make it one to remember. Our faculty and staff have spent countless hours working to make our daily activities run as smoothly as possible, but it is important that we all work together to make this year one to remember. Freshmen, I know that this year is not what you expected, but don ’ t forget that life is what you make of it. A world of academic and extracurricular opportunities has presented itself to you, so jump in and enjoy the ride!

Joe Gilmor

N O M A D I C |

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Senior Year Impressions B y : A l a s k a B e n n e t

Ms. Brittney Adams is the new student teacher you might’ve heard about working in Ms. Babb’s room. Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down and interview her, and I got to learn a little about her interesting story. You wouldn’t have guessed by her ease in the classroom, but Ms. Adams did not always want to be an English teacher. In fact, she didn't want to be a teacher at all in the beginning. Only after a stint as a Taekwondo instructor did she realize her love for teaching. She changed her original major to Elementary Education and began working with small children in the classroom. While her passion for teaching remained, she realized that she was better suited for high school students. She once again changed her major – this time to English education. English, much like teaching, was not always something Ms. Adams was interested in. She didn't like being told what to read and how to interpret it. “In high school … being assigned a text was very disheartening to me.” It wasn’t until her senior year that Ms. Adams found her love for reading. She read the popular book Ready Player One and fell in love with it. The value of a good book was made clear. Now in her final semester of English Education, Ms. Adams is a student teacher in Ms. Babb’s classroom. She couldn't have expected the circumstances regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, but it has given her hope for the future of English classes and how they can be structured. Thankfully, the odd parameters of her job as a teacher during this time have not hindered her love for education. Another large change is that there most likely aren’t going to be any dances this year. This means no Homecoming or pep rally, no Sweetheart, and no Prom. These are all important parts of the senior year since it’s the last time we get to have these events in high school and have them with our friends before going off to college. We are all still hoping that they might happen, but they most likely won’t. But, just like all students here at PTHS, we are trying our best to keep a positive outlook on the whole situation. Student Teacher Interview By Callie Dalton With how the last school year ended, everyone knew that the class of 2021’s senior year was going to be strange and different- if we had one at all. Now with everyone back in class, there are many new changes that we have to adjust to. Some of the main differences are in the school set up itself. No more tables to sit with friends at lunch, no class bigger than eight people, and students are even allowed outside during lunch during the new 10-minute passing periods. Students and teachers also must all wear masks and/or face shields in the building at all times to keep from spreading anything around that could cause cases to appear in the school.

Music Update

While virtual Band was definitely a new experience for us all, I think it is right to say every member of the PTHS Band is glad to be back in person. There are still some obstacles to overcome and some uncertainties, but we are starting in a great place. As many know, the marching season has been cancelled but Band members are still practicing to be better musicians and are preparing familiar pieces such as the color song for when it is needed. Since Band has been split up into two groups, lessons have become more individualized to some degree. As the Band starts thinking outside the box on ways to play together, they will start Tuesday rehearsals including all musicians while still using precautions. Another solution to make sure students are learning and being involved is personal Zoom lessons every week. Though Band looks a bit different this year, the Fine Arts department is constantly looking for new ways to keep music a constant in their students' lives. By: Alyssa Rodriguez Start Up Band

Barbershop and Madrigals

B y G a b e T r a v i s

PTHS is back in session and the Barbershop Quartet is working hard to make the best of the year that they can. The 2020 Barbershop members are Mason Christenson, Joseph Gilmor, Lukas Morrissette, and Gabriel Travis, all led by Mr. Joseph Durbin to be the best they can be throughout the changes brought on by Covid-19. The Barbershop members are learning songs such as the “Star Spangled Banner” to sing at sporting events in the upcoming future as well as songs such as “Smile” and “Country Roads” to sing at concert events later in the year. Rest assured that the Barbershop is working hard to give it their all this 2020 PTHS school year. The 2020 Madrigal season is also underway as a new group is taking on a plan to accommodate for Covid-19 and create the best season they can throughout the year. The Madrigals, another group led by Mr. Joseph Durbin, perform many carols and songs throughout the Christmas season. While a live performance is not currently a possibility as the safety of the Madrigals and the audience is of the utmost importance to the group, Mr. Durbin is currently planning to record and release a CD to the public later in the year. The Madrigals are already hard at work preparing songs to record.

Choir Update By Joe Gilmor

Now that school is back in session, the PTHS Choir has begun rehearsals for the 2020- 2021 school year. Directed by Mr. Durbin, the various ensembles are shaking off the dust as they continue to expand their repertoires and hone their musical talents. While no performances have been planned for the year, Mr. Durbin is looking for other ways in which his students’ voicesmay be heard outside of the classroom, including potential digital performances. While the future is still uncertain, one thing is for sure: members of the PTHS Choir will continue to sing and develop their skills as musicians – one way or another.

Upperclass Acts

Alyssa Rodriguez

NAME: Alyssa Rodriguez

NICKNAMES: Lyssa, Lysser, Jellybean, etc.

FAVORITE AUTHOR/BOOK: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

ROLE MODEL(S): My parents, grandfather, and aunt

MOST POSITIVE MOMENT: Being inducted into Tri M

ACTIVITIES @ PTHS: Tri-M, band, Choir, Jazz Band, The Chief, and yearbook

PET PEEVES: People who are not prepared for class and people that talk a lot.

FONDEST MEMORY OF HIGH SCHOOL SO FAR: Being a part of the bands Disney trip to Florida during the spring of 2019.

WHAT MY FRIENDS WILL REMEMBER ABOUT ME: My determination, creativeness, thoughtfulness, and of course my un-ironic love of “Never Gonna Give You Up.” HOW WOULD YOU SPEND $1,000,000? Education expenses, travelling, save some of it, and use some of it for my family. IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A DESERT ISLAND, WHAT 3 ITEMS WOULD YOU WANT WITH YOU? A boat, a water purifier, and nonperishable food items.

3 MAJOR AREAS OF INTEREST: the medical field, music, and English

PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL: Attend college to become an OTA.

FAVORITE MOVIE: Revenge of the Sith or Beauty and the Beast (1991)

MOST INSPIRATIONAL SONG: “Remember the Name” - Fort Minor

LAST WORDS OF ADVICE: “Follow your passions and be smart about your choices.”

FAVORITE TEACHER/CLASS: Anatomy with Mr. Nollen

Upperclass Acts

Joseph Gilmor

NAME: Joseph Gilmor

NICKNAMES: Joe

MOST POSITIVE MOMENT: Playing with the Marching Band at Disney World

ROLE MODEL(S): Jerry Keck, John Gahm

PET PEEVES: People driving under the speed limit on Howard Street, noisy patrons at movie theaters, and people using their phones while eating WHAT MY FRIENDS WILL REMEMBER ABOUT ME: My sense of humor and love for Star Wars. HOW WOULD YOU SPEND $1,000,000? I would pay off my parents' mortgage and make some major additions to my Star Wars collection. IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A DESERT ISLAND, WHAT 3 ITEMS WOULD YOU WANT WITH YOU? A firestarter, a flare gun and a machete.

ACTIVITIES @ PTHS: Band, Choir, The Chief, Key Club, Student Council

FONDEST MEMORY OF HIGH SCHOOL SO FAR: Traveling to Italy with Mr. Fiorini last summer.

3 MAJOR AREAS OF INTEREST: Reading, Writing, and Music

PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL: Major in international economics at the University of Chicago

FAVORITE MOVIE: Star Wars: Return of the Jedi

MOST INSPIRATIONAL SONG: "My Way" by Frank Sinatra

FAVORITE TEACHER/CLASS: AP U. S History with Mr. Christie

LAST WORDS OF ADVICE: “Do or do not, there is no try.”

FAVORITE AUTHOR/BOOK: Road to Wigan Pier by George Orwell

Swim Team Update By Ava Nollen

Although the season is significantly different than last year, the Pontiac Indians swimming and diving team is back and better than ever! This year, to be safe during the corona virus pandemic, swimmers are wearing masks until they get into the water to swim. They also stay socially distanced in the pool by starting on different ends of the lanes. There will be 12 swim meets so far on the schedule and they already had a senior night to celebrate the seniors on the swim team. “My favorite moment of swim during high school is the team bonding trips because it is really fun to do things like canoeing with friends,” says senior Alana Christianson. Molly Masching, a junior, is in her first year of swim team and enjoying it, explaining, “My favorite moment of swimming is at my first meet because I won ¾ races.” Anneke Esposito is the sole member of the dive team at Pontiac. “Nothing has changed in diving due to the pandemic. My favorite part of diving is learning new skills, dives, and having my team support me.” The swimming and diving team is a great example of perseverance and positivity throughout the pandemic. Please go support them if given the chance to safely do so!

Girls Tennis By Emilie Collins

The Girls’ Tennis season is off to a great start, despite the unusual circumstances surrounding this school year. The girls have adapted by wearing masks before and after matches and socially distancing for practice and pep talks. So far, the team has participated in four meets. One of the meets was at home, and Coach Vogt decided to take advantage of the opportunity to recognize the senior girls for a great high school tennis career. We wish the girls good luck for their season and congratulations on a successful beginning to the season.

Film Review

By Jasmine White

The 15:17 to Paris

The 15:17 to Paris is based on a true story of three friends from America traveling around Europe. The movie covers the upbringings of the three characters and how they got to where they are now. It is a type of movie for those who love drama, thriller, and true story movies. One of the highlights is that it shows pictures and a small clip of the real people at the time this true story happened. My favorite part of the movie is seeing how the characters were doing on their trip before the event that had happened on the train. It gives a lookto see how normal people can become real life heroes and save many lives. I give this movie a 5 out of 5 stars.

The Chief Staff

Joe Gilmor: Editor-in-Chief

Alaska Bennet Emilie Collins Callie Dalton Ava Nollen Alyssa Rodriguez Gabe Travis Jasmine White

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